[cjamsonhn]

>I was smart enough to realize I'd never be a good researcher relatively early during my PhD and started preparing for job interviews

What are some things that made you realize that? Im considering going into research and certainly have some doubts

[bee326]

* Much of that was direct feedback from my advisor -- that I did't understand my research subject thoroughly, I could not explain or describe things very clearly, and even someone outside the field could ask a question which I have trouble responding.

* I had difficulty coming up with my own ideas. A good PhD student should develop a good sense of direction halfway through their research PhD, and by the end they should be able to conduct their own research independently. I was nothing like that.

* I attended talks from fellow students that were invited to the department and went to conferences. I know what good researchers are like -- they do good work, publish papers relatively early in their PhD, know everything about the field and what are they doing, have confidence, communicate with others well and have great delivery in presentation.

-- * This might be the one that is most compelling. You could tell who is going to be a professor and who is not. (As I am typing this, I look up the guy I have in mind. He just got assistant professorship last year. I am not all surprised.)

Granted, I am far from a model PhD student. My research is mediocre. But I have seen people who deliver even worse research and have even less chance of ever getting tenure spending more time in academia. So I hope my words can be helpful.

All that said, I would say you don't need to self doubt. If you are smart and constantly think about your career, and if you go to conferences, you'll know whether this is for you and what to do.