I'm currently 21, will turn 22 soon. I never pursued a career in STEM although I love science, specially physics and biology. The reason is because of how treacherous academia is, and because I wanted to make money without being a replaceable dime-a-dozen "scientist" which have over-saturated the industry. But now I'm growing older and realizing that, although western education is a scam, and society forces you to have a degree, I rather be a 30yo with a degree than one without it. I'ts really a depressing thought and it's what's currently stopping me from enrolling into college again. I feel like I'm just getting a degree because "I have to" and people always tell me "be what you want" or "do what makes you happy" I'd love being a scientist If I could actually do meaningful independent research and make good money out of it, just like I wanted to be a fashion designer and quickly realized how corrupt the fashion industry is. Although I still believe academia is far worse. Is it too late for me?