Hi there Reader,
As a PhD or researcher, you’re no stranger to the challenge of uncovering the truth, even when it’s complex or counterintuitive.
Your work often involves figuring out what’s really going on—whether that means embracing null results, realizing you’ve missed something, or confronting the fact that your initial assumptions were off the mark.
This ability to be open to being wrong, to embrace uncertainty, and to dig deeper into what’s actually happening is what makes you a competent scholar or scientist.
It’s also the exact approach you need when it comes to figuring out your next career move.
If you’re uncertain about what you want to do next, that’s okay.
The truth is, you already have the skills and mindset to solve this problem too. You’ve faced uncertainty before in your research, and you’ve learned to navigate it.
Now, it’s time to apply those same principles to your career.
Yes, this can feel destabilizing, but remember: you’ve been here before, and you’ve come out the other end.
You have the transferable skills necessary to figure out what you want to do after leaving academia, or when you’re feeling unsatisfied with your current path.
So if you’re at a point where you know you don’t want more of the same but aren’t sure what comes next, that’s a powerful starting point. You’re not stuck; you have everything you need to move forward.
Gather what you know about who you are and what you want, and build on that knowledge.
If you want a guide or instruction manual, that’s where I come in.
Join the PhD Career Clarity Program to speed up the process and to ensure you won’t be left to your own devices, grasping for what to do next. Enroll today, next week, or whenever is best for you (no high-pressure sales tactics from me).
Because I’d love to help you get your next job, one where you’ll feel valued and respected in the way you deserve but never quite experienced. And if you’re not sure whether the program is a good fit for your goals, just ask me; I’ll tell you my honest opinion.
What’s Happening
- Free Wednesday co-working continues; sign up on my website.
- Want more co-working? Sign up for Flow Club, where I’m a regular host. Use my link to get a free two-week trial.
- I’m doing a free workshop for Canadian postdocs on Friday, hosted by the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars. This is part of their Postdoc Appreciation Week.
- Next Friday is the monthly workshop for PhD Career Clarity Program members. “Staying the Course: Navigating a Tough Job Search without Hating Yourself or Regretting Your Choices” starts 27 Sep at 12pm EDT. Event details in the Community.
Related Posts
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My career journey so far
From history PhD to career coach →
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Permission to stop chasing tenure
Prioritize your goals, not theirs →
Do you have a question or a topic you want me to address in a future email? Reply and let me know what’s on your mind.
Cheers,
Jen
P.S. Want to explore working with me? Visit my Services page to learn about options, or reply to this email and let me know what you want my help with!
Jennifer Polk, PhD
Free Webinar For professors, postdocs, and other overworked, underappreciated PhDs ready to change careers
