That would be great. I'm sure that one can and will find stimulating and interesting work without the PhD too - sometimes the ivory tower of academia makes it seem different though. What worries me more is the aspect of leaving machine learning for a different field, and then not finding my way back later on.
> (and yes, I did decline a job offer with a much higher salary that my current one, but I'm happy to have made this call: my salary is still decent, and I do something meaningful to me, and geographically close to where my friends are)
Glad to hear it all worked out for you!
> I wish you the best. There's no wrong answer. Relax and enjoy life.
Thanks mate! It sometimes feels so overwhelmingly difficult to navigate life in your early career. Appreciate it!
I know, as a former PhD who is now a software developer :-)
I would not recommend a PhD to everyone, but your message reads like you are enjoying the field and the intellectual challenge, and that's what I'm basing my answer on.
Now, personally, if you got your motivation back, I'd advise to go ahead and finish this PhD! You'll have plenty of offers in the future, probably including more meaningful ones. We are in a field where job offers are not missing. You only have one PhD (usually) and you don't want to regret having spoiled it your whole life (of course, if it is not working out, get the hell outta there). Your PhD is (supposed to be) your personal work. Your rules and your ideas. At a level your job offer probably won't reach. You'll be able to try a software developer position later, there's no rush.
(as someone who did a PhD and is now working as a software developer).
(and yes, I did decline a job offer with a much higher salary that my current one, but I'm happy to have made this call: my salary is still decent, and I do something meaningful to me, and geographically close to where my friends are)
I wish you the best. There's no wrong answer. Relax and enjoy life.