So what happens when you’re doing a psychology PhD and realize early on that academia isn’t for you? Well, one option is to finish and then “DO ALL THE THINGS!”
What do you do now?
Now I’m on team DO ALL THE THINGS. Seriously, sometimes I look at my life and think “Okay, Langworthy. Time to pick a direction.” But I’ve always been eager to learn and try my hand at new things. I find the challenge really enjoyable. Which is why I know that a steady job at one place doing one thing for the rest of my life is not what will fulfill me.
So, in the handful of years since I completed my PhD, I’ve worked on projects that have had me meeting with state level policymakers in several states, and projects that have had me partnering with a local elementary school in Saint Paul. I’ve done a lot of writing, research, and communicating about the science of child development. I’ve written and produced several videos on topics like historical trauma, children’s mental health, and community-based partnership work (All of these can be found on CYFC’s YouTube Channel).
I’ve also written a book titled Bridging the Relationship Gap on the effects of trauma and stress in early life and what care providers can do to help build resilience in kids in their care. The book will be coming out in September (more info here). I’ve also recently started my own YouTube channel Developmental Enthusiast where I make educational videos on the science of child development that teachers and professionals can use to help others learn about what we know from research about children and families. I’m also a co-founder of The Exchange Loop, and organizational consulting firm that specializes in helping public facing organizations to understand and address their most pressing challenges.
In short, I try to use my skills in whatever ways I can to I help other people do their work better.
Awesome! Read the rest of Sara’s Q & A over at University Affairs.