A Career in Academia: Why and Why Not?

Is an academic career right for you? I weigh the case for and against a life of teaching and research. A PhD involves choosing an area with an advisor, reading critically, and producing new ideas; after it come teaching, research, mentoring students, conferences, and joining an international community of researchers. I also talk about where to pursue a master's or PhD in India and how to prepare for admission, and I suggest some reading for the curious (Oded Goldreich's essays, Academia Stack Exchange, and more).