August 6, 2024
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5 min read
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Career
I remember the moment I started to have doubts about my academic career. After a rewarding postdoc time at the Max-Planck Institute in Germany, I accepted a position as an Assistant Professor at Lund University. At the time, it seemed to be a natural step to take, and in fact, I never considered looking for a position beyond academia to industry. However, after an initial discussion with the professor in my new department, I felt a sense of uncertainty in my decision, a feeling that only grew over the next five years.
My five years as an Assistant Professor at Lund University were a rollercoaster of doubts and struggles, both mentally and physically. My whole body took a hit, and I wasn’t prepared for the environment, which made me feel alone and isolated with my thoughts and worries. Increasingly, I questioned my career path, feeling I wasn’t performing at my best. Publishing, writing grant applications, teaching, and forced committee work were not activities I enjoyed or found energizing. I also missed being part of a collaborative team and thriving together with colleagues towards a common goal. The competitive atmosphere in my department didn't suit me. I felt stuck and had no one to turn to for guidance.
The decision to leave academia wasn’t easy. I had to end fruitful collaborations and leave two of my Ph.D. students on their own. I did what I could to help them to find new supervisors. It was maybe a very selfish decision, but my funding and position were ending at the university, and I hadn’t heard from the board if they were to prolong my position or not. So, on a dark December day, I emptied my room and never looked back.
The years following my decision were a mental journey filled with a whirlwind of emotions some of which I didn’t know I had or existed. It was all new to me. It was a challenging adjustment period, but ultimately, looking back, the best thing I have ever done. Slowly, I started to discover myself, but it took many years, and I needed the support of a tough coach.
If my future self had as a demotivated Ass. Prof., that I would start an educational and coaching company, I most likely would have started to laugh. At that time, I had limited beliefs, was afraid to fail, and was anxious about my financial situation.
Founding Passage2Pro was not just a professional shift but a personal transformation. The corporate world forced me to shift my mindset. I had to unlearn my academic habits and beliefs that did not serve me well in the new environment, adapting and embracing an entrepreneurial spirit. So, the mindset I had developed in academia did not serve me very well e.g. a reactive behavior making it hard for me to take feedback, self-focused and arguing more than striving to have a constructive dialogue, a narrow-minded mindset stopping me from seeing the full big picture and thus missed opportunities for career progression and team engagement, but also lack empathy thus my self-focus hindered me from seeing things from my managers and colleagues perspective.
If I could travel back in time, I would offer my past self some important advice. I would tell my past self to be patient and kind to herself and not so harsh and critical. I would remind her to have more fun and enjoy life. I was too consumed by my worries and struggles to see the bigger picture
The mindset I developed in academia became a significant barrier when transitioning to the corporate world, but it is possible to develop a new mindset. Training your brain to take and give feedback, changing your mindset from a more narrow-minded laser-like focus to seeing the big picture, and learning to build resilience and be less reactive are all personality traits that can be changed during one's life.
Today I work as a career and leadership coach in both academia and in the corporate setting. The clients I support range from scientist wanting to transition from academia to industry, professors needing help to navigate the academic system and building effective research teams to executives in the corporate world.
Below, I summarize some tips for those who might wonder if it is possible to change careers after leaving academia. You might feel stuck, burned out, lack support, and worry about your financial situation; in fact, you might not know what country you want to live in.
1. If you think it is not possible to transition from academia to industry because you are too senior – YOU are wrong! It is possiblewith the right guidance and determination
2. You might have heard from former academics in the industry that they regret their career decision. Remember, when we look back, we often remember the good things and forget the reason why we left. In fact, it is pretty common that the first job after your academic career will cause you to have doubts about your career move. But so do professionals who change jobs in the corporate world. It is not a short run but a marathon therefore, you need a plan and a strategy to rely on.
3. It is time to go online for inspiration. You need to be inspired by people who have done what you are aiming for. You also need to fuel your brain with new perspectives and information. New perspectives will help you to open up to new opportunities you didn’t know existed. Remember my story? Coaching wasn’t on my plate as a job when I was Ass. Prof., in fact, the job hardly existed in my country at the time.
4. Start reading newspapers, magazines, and articles/blogs beyond your current field. Consider business, entrepreneurial sport, and life resources to inform and instill new perspectives and as well broadening your knowledge about the labor market. What is going on? What are the next trends and growing markets? What technologies are impacting the industry? The academic environment doesn’t always encourage you to follow the latest trends and technology, e.g., social media platforms, AI-driven tools, and policies used beyond the academic context. Today's labor market is extremely fast-paced, so while reading this article, new tools are being generated.
5. Start building and growing a network consisting of professionals from a broad range of people. Don’t hesitate to call them and ask for professional advice or information. Most people in the corporate world are willing to help you with information if they are approached in a polite and open-minded way.
6. Finally, never doubt what a professional coach can do for you! Looking back, I wasn’t really a person who would ask for help. I saw this as a weakness, and I didn’t know how to ask for help! I was an Assistant Professor, and the image I had of myself was – I was an expert, knew best myself, was anxious about what other people would think of me, and was afraid of taking feedback. Indeed, when you have a coach, taking feedback is part of the process and also means you’re coachable. But remember, certified coaches are trained to move your mindset from being hesitant to take constructive feedback to a more open-minded attitude. So, in most cases, you will save several months, maybe even years, when you ASK for help! From my personal journey I wish I had asked for help much, much more early.
“Leaving the familiar behind is often the first step toward discovering our true potential and passions. It all starts with a decision – a decision to determine to follow and not give up on”
-Ass. Professor Tina Persson | CEO | Career & Leadership Coach
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