What is STEM? In the sciences, I disagree with "If you aren't at the top at any stage of the game, quit". It can be the right decision to get a PhD in an 11-20

What is STEM? In the sciences, I disagree with "If you aren't at the top at any stage of the game, quit". It can be the right decision to get a PhD in an 11-20 program, so long as you have options aside from an R1 academic job.