How to Pivot Out of Academia
Your next steps to take as you transition into a nonacademic career
- Using Your Optimal Career Pathway to Pivot Out of Academia
- How to Identify Your Values and Interests
- How to Identify Your Skills
- 3 Types of Skills Employers Look For in Candidates
- How to Start Researching Career Options Open to You
- Examples of PhDs Who Successfully Transitioned Into Meaningful Nonacademic Careers
- Next Steps to Take as You Transition Into a Nonacademic Career
About this lesson
Once you’ve decided to leave academia, it’s not always easy to know where you are headed. Chances are you’ve spent a lot of time in higher ed, and you may well be unfamiliar with what nonacademic work is like or what nonacademic fields might be open to someone with a PhD in your particular field.
That’s why this lesson helps guide and structure your pivot out of academia. In this course, you’ll learn to identify your Optimal Career Pathway and you’ll hear success stories from other PhDs and postdocs who have made the same leap you’re starting now (and found career satisfaction).
Workbook Activities
This lesson covers pages 12 to 15 in the Pivot Stage Workbook. You can also use the Take Notes widget to complete this activity.
- Block off time in your calendar to begin your pivot out of academia. Set aside time to watch and/or listen to some career video interviews to hear from other PhDs. Schedule time to complete our Know Your Options course to identify your values, skills, and what the world will pay you to do.
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