I once sat down for coffee with a colleague and confessed, “I think I’m at my limit. Continuing like this would mean sacrificing my mental well-being.” To my surprise, she responded, “I feel the same way. Let’s explore other options.”

Having spent 11 years in higher education and 15 years as a tenured professor, I was on the verge of being promoted to Full Professor. I had a good rapport with my students and held various leadership roles within my department. Additionally, I was close to completing a book on my research area, and things appeared to be going well.

Yet, I found myself feeling unfulfilled. Despite the seemingly positive feedback from my tenure reviews, I wasn’t happy.

The turning point came during a fall-semester sabbatical in 2021 when I realized I had been battling depression for years. That break provided a much-needed respite, leading me to believe I would return to campus rejuvenated and motivated. However, just a month after my return, I sank back into a deep depression. I recognized that while I loved teaching and interacting with students, the overarching challenges of academic life were significantly impacting my mental health. Issues like salary compression—where new faculty made nearly the same as me after 15 years—and an ever-growing workload without acknowledgment were weighing heavily on me. As the director of my department's general education course, I became increasingly aware of how underpaid non-tenured instructors were, which added to my distress.

Fast forward a year after that pivotal coffee chat in early 2022, and I landed my first full-time job outside academia in January 2023. A graduate school friend encouraged me to document my journey, resulting in this essay. What follows is my personal experience—there are many paths out there, but I hope my insights can assist others contemplating a similar shift.

Exploring New Career Options. The first step I took was to identify what I could pursue beyond being a professor. Academia often leads you to believe that your skills are only applicable within higher education, a notion that industry tends to reinforce. However, much of my academic experience was transferable to various roles in industry. Fortuitously, a friend who also left academia introduced me to user experience (UX) research, convincing me that my skill set was well-suited for that domain. After delving into the field, I agreed with her assessment and explored other options like instructional design and grant writing before committing to UX research. The time I dedicated to researching my career options was invaluable and laid the groundwork for my subsequent actions. It’s crucial to reflect thoughtfully on how your skills can translate to other roles, remaining honest yet optimistic as you read job descriptions.

Networking. As an introvert, networking was daunting. However, I discovered that people are often more than willing to help. When I decided to pivot my career, I updated my LinkedIn profile with impactful content and sought out individuals in roles I found intriguing. I reached out to people and joined groups that aligned with my interests. I even invested in LinkedIn Premium to access a few UX courses, although I’d recommend weighing the cost against your needs.

I also reached out to my existing connections in areas I was interested in. Everyone I contacted generously took the time to share insights and resources, helping me navigate my transition to a non-academic role. I connected with former students, colleagues, and community members.

Navigating this space required a careful balance; I wasn't keen on broadcasting my desire to leave my university. You’ll have to find your own balance between expanding your network and keeping your intentions discreet. Ultimately, some degree of networking is necessary because, similar to academia, job hunting is often about 30% effort and 70% connections. (Disclaimer: I made that percentage up, but it feels about right.)

Hiring a Resume Writer. Once I identified my desired career path, it was time to apply for jobs, which required a resume. The difference between an academic CV and a corporate resume is stark. My CV was an extensive 20 pages detailing every course, publication, and committee I’d ever been involved with. I knew corporate resumes typically max out at two pages, and I felt overwhelmed at the thought of condensing mine. So, I hired a resume writing service. The writer’s first question was, “Do you have a shorter version of this CV we can start with?” My response was a simple, “No.”

Despite the challenge, the writer successfully distilled my two decades of experience into a two-page resume focused on impact rather than volume. It highlighted how my research benefitted both the classroom and the community. He translated my academic jargon into industry language, transforming roles like 'Director of the Basic Course' into 'Staff Manager.' Knowing I aimed for UX research positions, he tailored the vocabulary accordingly.

The key takeaway is that in industry, a mere list of tasks won’t secure you an interview; you need to demonstrate how your work made a tangible difference. Reflect on assessments that show how students gained knowledge or skills. Consider how your contributions to committees affected campus initiatives or employee satisfaction. Your research should also illustrate meaningful community impact. Experience in consulting or outreach is more compelling than simply enumerating the number of classes taught or committees served on.

Embracing Opportunities. A graduate school friend who had transitioned to a UX role in California became a valuable contact during my networking phase. He connected me with others who provided insights and potential job leads. One of these connections was another former academic working in a tech company, who introduced me to a hiring manager looking for a contractor for usability research.

Taking on a six-month contract position felt like a significant risk after 15 years in a stable academic career. I discussed the opportunity with my risk-averse father, who encouraged me to take the leap, emphasizing that my hard work would help me land on my feet. So, I accepted the role and officially became a UX researcher! Everyone’s financial situation is different, so this step might not be suitable for everyone. However, taking a contract job can be a great way to gain experience. Interestingly, my six-month contract paid more monthly than my academic job and included health benefits!

The crucial lesson here is that your transition may not be a straightforward leap; it might involve lateral or even backward steps. However, these experiences can build momentum that propels you forward if you remain resilient and continue networking.

Seizing Every Opportunity. My contract position turned out to be the best working experience I've had. My coworkers, including my manager, were incredibly supportive, providing me with the tools and autonomy to hone my new skills.

As I embarked on this new role, I adopted a student mindset, treating the job like an applied graduate course. My colleagues became my professors, and I engaged them by asking about their roles, seeking feedback on my work, and requesting advice on research methodologies. I attended their sessions to learn how they crafted presentations. When I stumbled, I welcomed their constructive criticism, striving to avoid defensiveness. (This wasn’t always easy!) Academics often have a reputation for arrogance; I wanted to break that stereotype and acknowledge that I had much to learn in this new research environment.

Keep a Detailed Record. My manager in the contract role was both organized and intelligent. She encouraged me to maintain a project table that tracked various data points, showcasing my developing skills. This table included study goals, research questions, methodology justifications, key findings, and impact summaries. As I worked on different studies, I updated the table in real-time. When it came time to prepare a research portfolio for permanent job interviews, I had a comprehensive list of projects to reference, eliminating any panic about forgetting what I had done. This preparation made job presentations easier and bolstered my confidence in my growth over six months.

I also kept a record of how I was merging my academic skills with my burgeoning industry expertise in UX. This preparation allowed me to articulate this connection fluidly during interviews. By documenting these realizations, I was ready to address any questions that came my way.

Prepare for a Long Journey. The most challenging aspect of this transition was the waiting period. It's easy to assume that your skills, experience, and enthusiasm make you a shoo-in for jobs. However, many in industry don’t equate years of education with relevant experience or skill development. The perception often is that graduate school, and being a professor, doesn’t equate to "real life," which can lead to being overlooked for suitable roles. It’s disheartening, but many employers may view you as either over- or under-qualified due to your academic credentials. Expect to encounter numerous rejections for various reasons.

If you can find volunteer or freelance opportunities that bridge the gap between academia and industry, seize them and highlight these experiences. They demonstrate your readiness to transition into the non-academic space. Share your activities on LinkedIn, incorporate them into your resume, and seek recommendations from those involved in those projects. Continue crafting the narrative of your strengths in any way possible. Eventually, a potential employer will recognize your value and give you the opportunity to shine.

For me, after what felt like countless rejections, I was approached by a local health system looking to expand its UX team. I was in the right place at the right time, and my experience demonstrated that I was a worthy investment. Since January 2023, I have been thriving in this role and continuing to grow.

The bottom line is that transitioning from academia requires a commitment of time, energy, humility, and self-promotion. I haven’t discovered any shortcuts, but if you do, please let me know! It necessitates persistence, patience, and the ability to endure rejection before you finally hear a yes. If you're contemplating this change and seeking guidance, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dena-huisman/.