Aug 27, 2026

Thinking About Leaving Academia?

Jennifer Polk

Hosted by Christina Gessler

Summary

You’ve spent so many years earning your degrees. But how do you know if staying in academia is the right thing for you?

Whether you hope to keep working on campus or chart a new path, this episode will help you take stock of what you need, and design the life you want.

Questions this episode asks include: when are you at your best; when do you feel engaged and excited; when do you feel valued; and when are you making a contribution? It then asks you to make connections: where are you when you feel those things, and who are you with?

We also explore what you can do to help yourself make career decisions: going on informational interviews, expanding your definition of “success,” becoming curious about what could make your life better, and considering how you can make adjustments to your current job so it works better for you.

Guest: Dr. Jennifer Polk is a career coach, educator, and recognized expert in PhD careers. She facilitates professional development workshops and delivers keynote presentations at institutions across the US, Canada, and internationally. She’s published in University Affairs, Inside Higher Ed, the Chronicle of Higher Education, the Globe and Mail, Academic Matters, and in three books. She earned her PhD in history from the University of Toronto.

Host: Dr. Christina Gessler is an academic writing coach and editor. She is the producer and show host of the Academic Life podcast.

Playlist for listeners:

Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! You help support the show by downloading and sharing episodes. Join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 300+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening!

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Your Host

Christina Gessler

Dr. Christina Gessler holds a Ph.D. in history, which she uses to explore what stories we tell and what happens to those we never tell. She is the creator and executive producer of the Academic Life podcast, and writes the show's newsletter ChristinaGessler.Substack.Com featuring curated playlists and writing advice. She is a writing coach and developmental editor for academics.

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