Thread by @ashleyruba

Considering a move out of academia, but don't know where to start?

Before you dig into my recommended resources (at the end of this thread), the first, hardest, & most important step is believing that it's okay to pursue an #altac career.

Truly. I promise that it's okay. 1/

It's so easy to feel like you're a failure. And it's easy for some academics to judge a career choice that they have never made & don't understand.

Believe me. I've been called a "sell-out", "soulless", & "anti-academic". I lack "passion." I "couldn't handle" academia. 2/

Meh. The name-calling used to bother me, quite a lot actually, but it doesn't anymore. Because they're wrong.

First, check my CV 🔥 I crushed it in academia by every measure. I'm not a failure, far from it. I'm a successful, passionate, multi award-winning researcher. 3/

Second, I know how much happier I am in my tech career vs. my academic one. If that makes me a "sell-out" then... 🙃

Academia isn't a morally or intellectually superior career. It's just a job. It's okay to pursue a different career path. I have, as have many other phds. 4/

And, as @BeyondProf likes to say: "smart people work everywhere."

If you want to move out of academia, start with their podcast. Listen to the whole thing, trust me.

Everything I've learned about searching & applying for #altac jobs is here. 5/

beyondprof.com/podcast/

Next, get on LinkedIn & connect with me!

Start conducting informational interviews. Talk to academics who have transitioned into #altac careers. Figure out which career sounds most interesting to you Maybe that's UX, maybe that's something else. 6/

linkedin.com/in/ashleyruba/

But if, like me, you determine that UX sounds really cool, then you need to start learning about UX.

Darren Hood's UX podcast is fabulous. Honestly, you should listen to the whole thing. Check out his book recommendations too. 7/

worldoux.com
link.medium.com/ibRtU5VpWvb

Remember, UX is a science. You won't learn everything about UX in a few weeks, months, or even a few years.

But, combined with your academic research experience, you can teach yourself enough about UX to land an exciting entry-level position & continue learning from there. 8/

Leaving academia is scary. It can feel like all your sacrifices were for nothing.

Don't buy into the sunk cost fallacy.

You are intelligent, competent, & have valuable marketable skills. Don't let a job define your self worth. And don't stay in a job if you are unhappy 💛 /end