Does Leaving Academia Still Feel Like Failure? Reflections on the Last 10 Years

Leaving academia can feel like admitting the whole thing was a mistake. It isn't—and the fear that says otherwise isn't an accident.

In this episode, Paulina sits down with career coach Jen Polk (From PhD to Life) for an honest conversation about the stigma around leaving academia: where it comes from, whether it's actually loosening, and how to push through it if it's holding you back.

You'll hear the "you can never come back" fear-mongering both of us heard firsthand, why the tenure-track benchmark is more arbitrary than it feels, and practical ways to rebuild your sense of identity and community outside a university.

Watch the full conversation, subscribe for more real-talk about life after academia, and check out Jen and Paulina's Monday YouTube Live series for weekly conversations on leaving academia.

Resources Mentioned:

Jen Polk — From PhD to Life.com

Want to end burnout and become an academic editor or coach? Go to AcadiaEditing.com/map

1:21 – Today's question: does the stigma persist

3:45 – Catching up before diving in

6:43 – Paulina's story: fear-mongering to stay put

9:10 – "You can never come back" myth

11:33 – Stigma exists to keep academics trapped

14:21 – The "such a shame" irony story

17:37 – Coaching clients who wait for tenure

18:51 – Ticking the box before feeling free

22:38 – Hiding your job search from colleagues

24:14 – Publishing outside academia gets you shunned

31:38 – Nobody outside academia cares about tenure

32:22 – Who are you without the title

35:36 – Reframe: pick your top three hats

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