[digita88]

I know a computer science PhD in his early to mid 30s who wished that, if he could go back to uni would instead study industrial design, but alas he states that programming pays more and is more stable.

I mean, sure you could some other craft or industry that you don't love or god forbid dislike (banking, nursing, building homes) so that it can pay the bills and enable you to buy a house. You don't need to get into programming to do that. BUT programming enables you to live a certain lifestyle because of its unique attributes that is part and parcel of the job. The end game here is - do we live to work OR do we work to live?