Dear [FIRST NAME GOES HERE],
Quick reminder that IMPACT 2026 is tomorrow, and I’ll be leading a short session called Leave Toward Something.
In that session, we’ll begin creating what I call a “leaving inventory.”
When people leave academia, the focus is usually on what isn’t working anymore.
Burnout. Mismanagement. Toxic departments.
Totally valid.
And then they jump straight into job ads, resumes, and applications.
Eek. That’s where things go awry.
Because you skipped this step: taking stock of what you actually built while you were there.
In tomorrow’s session, I’ll guide you through documenting things such as:
- What changed because you were there—for people, processes, or products
- Achievements worth documenting, even if they never made it onto your CV
- Choices you made intentionally in your work
- Patterns in when you felt energized and made a difference
This isn’t about rewriting your CV.
It’s about building a clearer picture of your professional past — one that captures impact, growth, and the way you actually work.
From there, you can start answering a more useful question:
What do you want to carry forward into your next chapter?
You’ll leave with the beginnings of a powerful document about where you’ve been, with crucial clues about where you’re headed.
📅 Thursday, March 5 (tomorrow!)
⏰ 12:30pm–4:30pm EST (11:30am-3:30pm CST)
💻 Live + 6 months of recordings (so if you can’t attend live, no worries)
🎟 US$49
>>>>> Join here: IMPACT 2026.
If you’re in the midst of a transition—or just considering one—this half-day event will be worth your time.
(I got a sneak peek of one of the other sessions and it’s a good one. I’m excited for participants!)
Any questions? Let me know!
I’ll be checking email this afternoon and evening and will get back to you. Registration closes for real Thursday morning but don’t leave it too late.
Cheers,
Jen
Jennifer Polk, PhD
Free Webinar Job search advice for professors, postdocs, and other PhDs ready to leave academia
