Zara Dar, a well-known YouTuber and former advocate for women in science and technology, recently shared a life-changing decision that has left her followers divided. In a heartfelt YouTube video titled “PhD Dropout to OnlyFans Model,” Zara revealed that she has left her doctoral program to focus full-time on creating content for OnlyFans.

"I’ve Dropped Out of My PhD"

Zara opened up about the emotional weight of her decision, admitting it wasn’t easy to walk away from her academic path. “I’ve cried so much over this decision to quit my PhD because it’s a stressful decision—not that I’m particularly sad,” she shared.

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She described this shift as more than just a career pivot. “Moving on to doing OnlyFans and content creation full-time isn’t just a career choice; it feels like a gamble on the direction of my entire life,” she said.

With over 100,000 YouTube subscribers, Zara initially gained fame for her engaging tutorials on machine learning and neural networks. Her transition from a highly technical field to content creation has certainly sparked curiosity and conversations.

"Tied to Someone Else’s Vision"

Reflecting on her time in graduate school, Zara said she spent years imagining her future in academia—whether as a polished professional in a tech company or a professor mentoring students. However, as she progressed, she began to see the trade-offs that came with these roles.

“People whose lifestyles I thought I envied are tied to someone else’s vision,” she explained. “They’ll spend their lives working for a company, doing things they don’t necessarily enjoy, and never getting the recognition they deserve.”

She painted a picture of a life she didn’t want—one where work benefits others while leaving her in the background, expendable and constantly worried about financial stability. For Zara, this realization was pivotal in deciding to step away from academia.

By choosing a different path, she said she now has the freedom to explore topics that genuinely interest her without the constraints of academic institutions or corporate expectations.

"I’ve Made $1 Million"

Of course, Zara’s decision also had a significant financial component.

She began creating content on OnlyFans as a side hustle during her PhD program, and the results were remarkable. She earned $1 million, which she used to pay off her family’s mortgage and buy a car. “Thankfully, I avoided taking out any student loans. Now I have an investment portfolio and I’m planning to buy my own house,” she said.

For Zara, these achievements highlight the tangible benefits of forging her own path. “These are reminders of the freedom and rewards that come with carving my own path,” she added.

"Not the Life I Envisioned"

Zara also critiqued the realities of academia in the United States. She pointed out that most professors earn around $100,000 annually and spend much of their time writing grant proposals instead of conducting research. “This is not the life I envisioned for myself,” she stated.

Mixed Reactions Online

Since posting her video, Zara’s decision has gone viral, sparking heated debates on social media. Reposted on X (formerly Twitter), the video has garnered nearly a million views and hundreds of comments.

Some viewers praised her boldness, noting the stark financial differences between traditional careers and content creation. “She’ll make more in two years than she would in twenty if she stayed in her PhD program,” one commenter observed. Others highlighted the freedom she has gained, with one user saying, “At the end of the day, what matters is peace of mind and financial security.”

However, critics expressed concern about the societal implications of such decisions, calling it a reflection of “short-term gains over long-term values.”

A New Chapter

Zara’s journey represents a shift in how success and fulfillment are defined. While her choice has sparked debates, she remains confident in her decision, embracing the freedom and financial independence it has brought her.

“All of these achievements are just reminders of the rewards of carving my own path,” Zara affirmed.

Her story challenges traditional notions of career paths and success, inspiring discussions about how individuals can redefine their futures on their own terms.