Leaving academia in many fields, scientific and otherwise, is the ultimate taboo. In journal clubs, seminars, and laboratories, jokes are made that scientists who left academia for industry or other jobs have turned to the Dark Side. A certain attitude persists that science is a noble calling, an avocation, that a trainee should pursue with a single-mindedness.
“Academia is sticky. It’s heavy. It’s got lot of gravity.
…I know people make it out.” –@IHStreet
But what happens if you decide that academia isn’t for you? Or if, despite your best efforts, your academic dreams aren’t realized?
Suddenly, you’re left without mentors, without a community.
We started this podcast to create a community for recovering academics. We will discuss the issues we encounter, the insights that we stumble upon, and topics that you suggest.
Remember: there is sunshine outside the ivory tower.
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Thank you so much for creating this. I have been looking for something like this. I am a current graduate student in neuroscience questioning if I want to continue in academia but not even sure what other options there are!
I would love to hear more about what really “pushed you over the edge” and helped you decide to leave academy? How did advisors/PIs take the news? How did you discover what you could do with your PhD that isn’t in academia? Those are the first questions that come to mind but I know I will have more. I am greatly looking forward to hearing your next episode! Thank you again!
Hi R,
Hope we can help you along your career journey, whether you stick to academia or not!
I’m sure all of our stories will come out more as we publish episodes. for me, it’s just been clear to me that bench science/being a PI aren’t what I’m really cut out for. My PI is fine with that, luckily.
I’m so happy this podcast exists! I’m a recovering academic who also coaches recovering academics so it’s wonderful to have more voices that address all the many issues that come up when making the transition out of academia to the great, big, world that is not the ivory tower.
Thanks for doing what you do!
:)Heather
Hi Heather,
thanks for listening and we hope we can be useful voices for those considering doing something beyond the ivory tower.
Cheers,
+Ian
Hi Amy,
Thanks for listening to our podcast! We just added a subscription button to our newsletter on our main page. Hope it helps!
-Doctor_PMS
Hello!
Thanks for putting this together. Such a valuable perspective to add to the discussion about AltAc and PostAc careers. Will your focus always be science PhD skills and science related careers? I look fwd to further episodes! Thanks- Katie
Hi Katie,
Thanks for listening to us! I’m glad that you enjoy it. We all received our PhDs in science, so that definitely shapes our perspective. That being said, we’re looking into having some humanities people on as guests in the future.
Take care,
Amanda