I am one of those who chose a "conventional" job (which I guess means industry) after getting a PhD in math. IMO there is usually nothing tragic with leaving ac

I am one of those who chose a "conventional" job (which I guess means industry) after getting a PhD in math. IMO there is usually nothing tragic with leaving academia for either "conventional" or "unconventional" jobs. There are pros and cons to each choice. People's interests change. I loved (most of) my time in grad school but do not regret choosing a non-academic career. IMO the bad part is that when you are on a research track leaving academia is seen as a non-redeemable loser move by most professors and is a one-way street. This leads to folks staying on academia path for years after their heart is no longer in it for fear of making an irreversible change. Just a data point.