[KeplerBoy]

I don't see how going for a PhD limits one's family life.

Sure one could earn more money for less work in the industry, but being a PhD student is still a rather cushy job earning decent money compared to a lot of physical jobs out there. Also nobody cares at which time of the day/week you do your work, which is nice in times where other jobs might prefer to have your ass in an office.

[behnamoh]

> I don't see how going for a PhD limits one's family life.

Only one way to find out! It limits your family/friends/sex/fun life because the work load is a lot, there are no official "work hours" (so you end up working on weekends, at nights, when others are sleeping, when others go to parties, etc.), you get paid less than people who work in industry even though your work is as difficult (if not more) than theirs (think about the ML stuff Ph.D.s do vs. engineers in companies), you still have to deal with shitty politics in the department, etc.

[KeplerBoy]

yeah, I'm on the verge of finding out. Got an offer, but damn it's a big decision to make.

Having supporting parents around to help with childcare (no kids yet, but 4 years is a long time) and financials is a big plus. Also being in Europe where the job market looks dire and industry only pay like 20% more is a major draw towards the PhD.

[behnamoh]

As someone who's almost done with his Ph.D., I wouldn't recommend it. Although I did mine in the US. European universities are different in some ways (e.g., I've heard they don't require Ph.D.s to do TA work, which is nice).

[KeplerBoy]

I wouldn't say TA work is not required. It all depends where the funding for the position is coming from. If the university is funding it without any extra grants or cooperations, TA work is definitely a huge part of being a PhD-student.