1. Dread. An Event Horizon -- Background to the Book -- Intended Audience -- The Vocation Trap -- User's Guide -- Further Reading and Other Resources -- Caveat Lector (Reader Beware) -- Light at the End of the Tunnel -- A Wide World of Work -- Conclusion -- Action Items -- 2. Discern. Admitting We Have a Problem -- Reclaiming Your Life Choices -- Discernment beyond a Career Change -- Practical Exercises in Discernment -- From Living to Learn to Learning to Live -- Conclusion -- Action Items -- 3. Discover -- Opening Your Eyes -- Beholding the Wider World of Work -- Informational Interviews: A Primer -- Checking Other Sources -- Self-Awareness through Discovery -- Networking 101 -- Explaining Your Career Change -- Sticking with It -- Talking to Nonacademics -- Applying the Lessons of Discovery -- Conclusion -- Action Items -- 4. Decipher. Making Your Degree Relevant -- The "Overqualification" Trap -- How to Write a Résumé -- Translating Your Academic Experience: Teaching. Service. Research -- A Model Résumé -- Conclusion -- Action Items -- 5. Develop. Confronting Your Résumé Gaps -- Acquiring Skills, Building Experience -- Making Time for New Activities -- Development Strategies -- Cultivating a Public Persona -- Finding Open Positions -- Connecting to the Right Opportunities -- Planning for the End of the Race -- Conclusion -- Action Items -- 6. Deploy. Preparing for Change -- Making Mistakes: A Case Study -- Overcoming Culture Shock -- Building New Relationships -- Getting Down to Business (or Government or Nonprofit) -- Growing as You Go -- Discussing Your Past -- Maintaining Old Relationships -- Reaping the Rewards -- Looking Forward -- A Final Request -- Action Items.
Summary:
A guide for grad students and academics who want to find fulfilling careers outside higher education. With the academic job market in crisis, 'Leaving Academia' helps grad students and academics in any scholarly field find satisfying careers beyond higher education. The book offers invaluable advice to visiting and adjunct instructors ready to seek new opportunities, to scholars caught in "tenure-trap" jobs, to grad students interested in nonacademic work, and to committed academics who want to support their students and contingent colleagues more effectively. Providing clear, concrete ways to move forward at each stage of your career change, even when the going gets tough, 'Leaving Academia' is both realistic and hopeful.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.