Behind the pursuit of scientific discovery lies a less-visible truth: a career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is economically unsustainable, if not entirely unfeasible, for many. The myth of meritocracy in science collapses under the financial sacrifices expected at every career stage. From unpaid internships and self-funded conferences to underpaid graduate and postdoctoral positions, the hidden costs of ‘doing science’ are profound.