Zara Dar, a former PhD candidate from a reputed university in the US, hit headlines a few days back when she announced her decision to leave academia. Despite her strong academic background, Zara chose to step away from her PhD, citing concerns over the financial uncertainty of academic careers and the long road to postdoctoral stability. Since making the switch to digital content creation, she has reportedly earned over $1 million, using this financial success to continue producing educational STEM content in innovative ways.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn, Zara compared the reach and earnings of her educational videos across platforms. While a YouTube video explaining neural networks amassed nearly a million views but earned only $340, a similar video on an adult website with just 32,000 views brought in $1,000. “People often assume academic content won’t work on unconventional platforms,” Zara wrote, emphasizing that these spaces offer both creative freedom and greater financial rewards.
Zara’s Academic Achievements and Advocacy
Zara’s academic journey began at the University of Texas, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering and Computer Science. She later completed a Master’s degree in Computer Science, specializing in machine learning and neural networks. Zara’s PhD programme focussed on Machine Learning and Neural Networks.
Through social media platforms like YouTube, Zara aimed to simplify complex topics in artificial intelligence, making them more accessible to a broader audience. Her ability to break down difficult concepts helped her build a strong online presence and inspire others to pursue STEM careers.
Rethinking STEM Careers
Zara’s move away from academia raises important questions about the challenges faced by young researchers. Her story highlights how financial pressures and limited opportunities for stable academic positions can lead talented individuals to seek alternative career paths. By combining her academic background with digital content creation, Zara has redefined what it means to share scientific knowledge.
