r/iiser

please tell me seniors

Hello! I joined IISc in 2021 and am finishing up my M.S. in Physics right now. I had no lab experience coming in, and no idea whatsoever what research looked like. During college, I've tried several kinds- Ex CMP, Computational Physics, Theoretical Physics. I suppose I've realised that I just don't like research as much I had hoped, so I didn't apply for PhDs this cycle. It appears to have been a very competitive cycle, and many of my batchmates didn't get into PhD programs outside India.

What's it like where you're at? How are the general batch outcomes looking? Where are the folks that either don't want or didn't get a PhD going? I'm interested to know.

Take care! If you're in a bad spot, don't feel dejected. The world seems unreasonably harsh at the moment. Hang tight, and find joy in other things.