(Episode 169) Navigating Careers Beyond Academia

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(Episode 169) Navigating Careers Beyond Academia

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Episode overviewExploring a career beyond academia can bring excitement and possibility, but also uncertainty, questions about identity and a sense that moving on means leaving something behind.In this episode, Heledd speaks with Dr Holly Prescott about the practical and emotional realities of career transition. They explore why researchers may struggle to recognise their skills, why leaving academia can feel like “giving up”, and how careers beyond academia can offer new ways to use your researcher experience.Holly also challenges the idea that career development is about finding one perfect destination. Instead, it can begin with taking a next step, gathering information and learning more about what matters to you.Featured contributorDr Holly Prescott — Careers Adviser for Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Birmingham, freelance trainer and consultant, and founder of the PostGradual careers blog. Holly is the author of Navigating Careers Beyond Academia: A Practical Handbook for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers (Routledge, 2026).🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-prescott/🦋 Bluesky: @holby83.bsky.social🌐 PostGradual: https://phd-careers.co.uk/Key themes explored• The emotional and practical challenges of career transition• Recognising and communicating transferable skills• Moving beyond the divide between “staying” and “leaving” academia• Remaining connected to research in different ways• Approaching your career as an iterative process• How universities can help researchers see wider possibilitiesMemorable ideas• Your next job is a step in a journey, not a final destination: even those who have already moved beyond academia see their careers as ‘works in progress.’• Researchers are not starting from zero when they move beyond academia• Some of your most valuable skills develop when things do not go to plan• Moving beyond academia may change how your researcher identity shows up, but it does not have to disappear completely.Find out moreFind out more about Holly’s bookHolly’s online book launch takes place on 14 September 2026 at 16:00 BST/17:00 CET.Register for the online book launchRelated episodeFrom Postdoc to Project Manager: How Do You Make the Leap?Ruth Winden speaks with Dr Shirley-Anne Paul about moving from postdoctoral research into project management, transferable skills and the emotional experience of leaving research.🔗 Listen to the episodeLeave a reviewIf you enjoyed the episode, please consider leaving a rating and a short review — it helps others find the podcast.PodchaserOnline Review FormFollow and connectFollow us on Bluesky: @researcherdevleeds.bsky.social; @openresleeds.bsky.social; @researchcultureuol.bsky.socialConnect with us on LinkedIn: @ResearchUncoveredPodcast (new episodes are announced here)Want to contribute to a future episode?We’d love to hear from you — especially if you have reflections on research culture from any career stage or role.researcherdevelopment@leeds.ac.uk

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