I got into the UCSC grad program at the time you were there but didn't go. Funny how our paths almost crossed. I actually wanted to study with Haussler whom I met over lunch once. Yeah, I chose the SE life with family, kids myself. IMO there are too many scientists discouraging students from being scientists. Yeah, it is hard, but anything of value is going to be a challenge no matter what you do.
Haussler was my undergrad advisor (along with Harry). I remember I tried to get a job working for Harry, and when he turned me down his postdoc said "Hey, David Haussler over in CS is starting up a computational biology group, you should go talk to them". That was one of the most valuable pieces of long-term career advice I could ever get.
Personally I now actively advise people to avoid becoming (academic) scientists unless they are willing to dedicate an unreasonable amount of their life to it (more or less agreeing with Harry). It's really unfortunate but there just aren't enough jobs out there and too many of the folks who do manage to get positions aren't particularly honest or ethical.
