Cheeky Logo
Ready To Get Hired?
Apply To Book A Free Call With Our Transition Specialist Team

5 Miscalculations That Are Holding You Hostage In Academia

As a PhD student, I felt more and more lost the closer I came to graduation.

That’s because I had started to doubt that I knew what I wanted anymore.

You could say I was torn, but that would be an understatement.

I was absolutely wracked with indecision.

My original plan had been to continue on in academia. 

I was going to apply for a postdoc. 

Then on to Assistant Professor. 

And so on.

However, I was starting to see a real pattern emerge among the PhD graduates I knew.

I liked to check in periodically with those colleagues and friends. 

The ones that I talked to that had stayed in academia – unintentionally – painted a grim picture of academic life.

I say unintentionally because, even though they didn’t directly complain about academia, they all reported the same symptoms: tired, overwhelmed, underpaid, depressed.

Some were 5 years into their career and had made little headway. 

Positions weren’t becoming available. 

Postdocs weren’t opening any doors for them.

The politics and constantly fighting to prove their worth, it was enough to make at least some of them throw in the towel. 

The rest seemed to be almost stubbornly sticking around – even the ones that seemed to know their career was making them unhappy. It was almost like they didn’t know what else to do. 

That won’t be me, I thought. After all, professorship had always been the plan for me.

Maybe those other PhDs just didn’t want it enough.

But then again, I wondered, did I have it in me to “eventually” reach my career goals? Or would I burn out along the way too?

Maybe it was time to formally reevaluate the goals I had set for myself in high school.

The Choice To Leave Academia Is An Emotional One – And Emotions Are Easily Manipulated

Too many PhDs lose themselves in academia.

Before they started their program, they were different people

They looked into the risks and researched the rewards of pursuing a PhD, and they committed.

They knew who they were and they knew what they wanted.

But, over time, those confident and intelligent students become shaped by academia. 

They bent to those words of praise, few and far between, from academic advisors.

They learned to perform and even thrive in an economy of scarcity…

… a lack of funding, inconsistent support and insufficient opportunities.

And, as is often the phenomenon of those who operate with less than they need, they cope. 

They begin to believe that they are above other people — that they don’t need things like money, recognition, or even fair treatment to be successful.

At the same time, they start to believe that they’re below other people — they don’t deserve money, recognition, or fair treatment.

Then they lose their confidence.

Then they lose their optimism.

Finally, they lose their self-respect.

And here, in this low emotional place, is where they accept whatever scraps they can find in academia. 

That’s exactly how many PhDs fall into accepting low-paying postdoctoral positions with no clear-cut path to a career once their contract ends.

Are These 5 Miscalculations Keeping You Trapped In Academia?

Sometimes being in a low, emotional place influences our decision-making and we don’t even realize it. 

Sometimes we explain away our emotions with rationale. 

And, in the case of most PhDs who are struggling with their path forward in (or away from) academia, the explanations always errs in defense of academia – in spite of its faults. 

Other people have done it. If they can, so can I.

There must be something wrong with me, because this is a respected program and my research partners are thriving. 

If I had only X then Y and Z wouldn’t be happening now.

This self-flagellation is something that you become accustomed to in academia. 

But here’s an appeal to reason.

More than 60% of all PhDs don’t have a paying job upon graduating.

Only 1% of PhDs will ever ascend to the rank of tenured professor.

Forty-three percent of PhD students will not have even finished their degree 10 years after they started graduate school. 

You are not the only person who has struggled. 

Even if you try your absolute best, you may still fail. 

You don’t owe academia anything, despite these five common misconceptions I hear PhDs cite when they’re trying to justify why they can’t just cut the cord.

The reason so many PhDs stay in academia after getting their degrees is because they’ve been fooled into thinking they have a future in academia.

They’ve made calculations about their plans based on biased, flawed intel from fellow academics.

Baseless excuses like “things are getting better in academia,” “PhDs in industry are sellouts” and “you’ll never get an industry job.”

If you want to transition out of academia and into a better life and career, you need to stop believing these fallacies.

1. Applying For Jobs Is Easy, And You Can Do It Without Any Guidance

Just because applying for jobs is something everyone has to do doesn’t mean that every job search is created equal. 

Not every industry has caught up to best practices and current tech tactics that the Global 500 use to find candidates.

But, for PhD job seekers especially, this job market is unlike any that has come before.

Technology has been refined to help hiring managers eliminate candidates based on keyword markers, for instance. 

Psychology plays a much more important role in the interview process. 

And employers are adapting to a workforce in flux. 

They lost so many employees during the Great Resignation and, amid shrinking profit margins, they’re truly investing in their future by trying to find the actual best employee for each and every single role.

If it sounds challenging, that’s because it is.

You might be thinking, “Well, you don’t exactly need a college degree to know how to apply for a job. I can figure this out on my own.”

And there’s definitely a chance you can. But, remember, more than 60% don’t. 

They can spend 18 months – and often longer – searching for work.

The truth is that finding a job is much harder today than it was two decades ago…

… and it isn’t all that uncommon to ask for help.

But before you go blaming yourself, as PhDs are won’t to do, consider that this is not all your fault. 

You came into academia with the promise of doing cutting edge work that would lead to incredible career options.

What you were NOT told was that academia would never prepare you for these incredible career options if you moved outside of academia.

It didn’t show you where to look for resources.

That’s because, if it did, no one would be compelled to stay in academia.

2. Leaving Academia Makes You A Sellout

Just because someone is intelligent doesn’t mean that they’re smart. 

Or an inherently good person, either.

Even if they started out as altruistic and kind, most PhDs have changed in academia. 

That includes you.

Because academia can be a tough place.

The system can beat you down over and over again while everyone around you just seems to take it.

They take the beating and they tell you to take the beating.

Why does this happen?

Misery loves company.

It’s that simple.

Think about it…

Why would your advisor or anyone in academia look down at you for going into industry?

Looking down at you is the only way these kinds of academics can feel good about their decision to stay in academia.

They know that you’re going to get paid more, get to travel more, and have a higher quality of life.

The stigma of being a sellout is all they have to use against you.

Of course, not all academics are like this.

But many are, and you should guard yourself against them.

Never let other academics make you feel bad for wanting to leave academia.

You’re not a bad person for wanting to transition into an industry career.

And you are not going to be less of a person if you consider that academia isn’t right for you anymore. 

Stop being ruled by fear and start pursuing the full spectrum of your options.

The worst thing you can do in terms of your career progress is shrink back and isolate yourself.

Focus on yourself, go after what you want, and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks, says, or does.

3. All PhDs Struggle At First. You Should Be Happy With A Postdoc For Now

The employment numbers for newly graduated PhDs don’t look good.

You’ve made a decision to work hard, to create knowledge, and to make a difference.

So why aren’t you getting job offers? Unemployment statistics suggest that PhDs aren’t any worse off than the rest of the workforce.

I’ll tell you a secret: those statistics are skewed.

They don’t include data from the actual army of postdoc students working for little – and sometimes no – pay for years on end.

And what’s not reflected is that “among PhDs” means 2% of the job market at most. 

So the thousands of PhDs slaving away in a postdoc aren’t counted among the number of unemployed OR working PhDs, statistically.

If you were to count those PhDs as “unemployed,” that number would reflect a much more accurate picture snapshot of your situation.

One that wasn’t painted to cast academia in a positive light.

As a result, you and so many PhDs graduate and are prepared to accept any low-paying postdoc you can find.

You’re prepared to stay in your current postdoc position even though your principal investigator treats you horribly and is almost out of funding.

The only way to avoid this fate is to realize that you’re not alone.

Every PhD is worried about their future.

Yes, the academic landscape is changing. Academic jobs are disappearing.

But PhDs are still in high demand.

There are over 22,500 industry researchers and over 7,000 government researchers right now.

These industries are expanding.

You may not be able to get tenure as easily as in the past, but, in industry, your value is growing with every passing year. 

You just need to transition into the industries that recognize your value.

4. You Don’t Get Along With Your PI Or Advisor – You Clearly Have Trouble With Authority

Many graduate student-academic advisor relationships go from bad to worse.

The same is true for postdoc-principal investigator relationships.

And, when this happens, it’s easy to feel shocked and dejected. 

After all, if your own mentor won’t support you, who will?

The truth is many graduate students and postdocs go through this.

You need to know two things if this is a situation you find yourself in:

First, attempt to resolve this situation. 

It could be your advisor, it could be you, or it could be a combination of the two.

What you need to consider is that your mentors, like you, may be overextended and are overpromising, but always assume it comes from a good place

Assuming that those around you have the best intent is the easiest way you can avoid letting your emotions cloud your judgment. 

This doesn’t mean you need to make excuses for them.

But consider their perspective first, and then share your concerns with them. 

After all, people don’t know what they don’t know. 

That’s why it’s up to you to communicate how you’re feeling and what you need.

Second, if your advisor is treating you badly or not supporting you, get help. Stand up for yourself.

I know this does not come naturally to many PhDs, but it has to be done. 

It’s crucial to your success in academia, industry and, really, in life.

Ask your department head or graduate college dean to help mediate. Don’t fear their reaction.

This is a common situation and can easily be overcome.

It doesn’t mean that you are inherently uncoachable or that you would be a bad employee.

The only thing you can do wrong in this situation is assume that it can’t be fixed. 

5. You’ll Never Do Real Research Outside Of Academia

Too many graduate students and postdocs stay stuck in academia because they’re afraid of leaving science behind.

Don’t worry if you feel this way.

It’s normal.

You’ve dedicated your life to science and it makes sense if you’re hesitant to give it up by going into industry or trying something new.

The truth is you can do more science in industry than you can in academia.

The Cheeky Scientist Association has placed many PhDs into industry R&D positions.

These Associates are always amazed at how effective the industry research process is.

If they need a new instrument, it arrives the following week (if not the next day).

No grant cycle needed.

Working in industry today is not like it was in the 1950s.

There is a high level of collaboration, both with academic labs and labs in other industries.

This allows you to do more “real” science in industry than ever before.

At the same time, working in industry pays very well.

But this comes with its own set of problems.

Too many PhDs have been poor for so long that they honestly believe they don’t deserve to make good money.

These PhDs believe that going into industry means “selling out.”

This limiting mindset can keep you stuck in a low-paying postdoc for years.

It’s entirely possible to make good money and do great science at the same time.

Not only is it possible, it’s right.

PhDs should be well-paid for doing cutting edge work.

They should expect more than living just above the poverty line.

They should expect more than whatever scraps academia gives them.

Academia Is Exploitative, And The System Isn’t Designed To Be Easy To Leave

When it comes to academia, a lifelong academic is going to have deeply biased opinions. They’re like victims of Stockholm syndrome. 

It’s as if they believe their ability to survive in a broken system means they are superior to anyone that doesn’t want to.

That not everyone can do what they did.

And that’s the argument they’ll present you with when you consider making your exit.

Why wouldn’t they?

After all, it worked for them. 

But the truth is that every person is different. 

Different financial situations, different family dynamics, different needs.

Your mentors in academia may know a lot. But what do they know about you and your situation?

You can take their advice. 

You can apply for a postdoc position. 

But postdocs are temporary positions. If you take one, begin looking for your “real” job before your contract ends.

Too many PhDs find themselves hopscotching from “temporary” contract to contract for as many as 10 years. 

And, since a postdoc a stepping stone job, you’ll earn an entry-level wage. 

If any. 

And live with the knowledge that your six-or-more years of training as a PhD is worth minimum wage to the companies that offer these positions.

Know that faculty is complicit in this cycle. 

Why wouldn’t they be

PhDs are hard-working, flexible, young and come equipped with ambition and an expiration date – the end of their contract.

If a postdoc becomes problematic, there’s no job security in these roles. Just replace them in a few months.

The hard truth is that academia is exploitative. The system takes advantage of people with a passion for STEM science…

… people who are getting their education for all the right reasons…

… and it uses them. Plain and simple. 

There is absolutely no reason not to convince you to do the same.

After all, it worked for your predecessors…

… didn’t it?

Conclusion 

Doing nothing – or staying the course – is always going to be easier than changing directions. Especially when the people you are counting on for support – your advisor, for instance, or your fellow researchers – have tunnel vision. It’s not just other academics – your friends and family are unwittingly part of the problem. They know how hard you’ve worked to get where you are, and they know that they can’t speak to PhD troubles. There is a 90% chance that their advice will always be to do “whatever your advisor thinks is best.” That’s why it’s so easy to feel like no one cares about you or your career in academia. But there are people who care. There are people who can help you. You just have to know where to look. You have to want to change. And you have to want to shed the misconceptions that are making you stand still.

It is okay to look outside of academia for your PhD career. When you do, you may have to play catch-up with seasoned job seekers. But you can, as long as you have patience and faith that there is still plenty of opportunity to do meaningful research in industry.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

Book a Transition Call
Get Free Job Search Content Weekly

ABOUT ISAIAH HANKEL, PHD

CEO, CHEEKY SCIENTIST & SUCCESS MENTOR TO PHDS

Dr. Isaiah Hankel is the Founder and CEO of Cheeky Scientist. His articles, podcasts and trainings are consumed annually by millions of PhDs and other professionals in hundreds of different countries. He has helped PhDs transition into top companies like Amazon, Google, Apple, Intel, Dow Chemical, BASF, Merck, Genentech, Home Depot, Nestle, Hilton, SpaceX, Tesla, Syngenta, the CDC, UN and Ford Foundation.

Dr. Hankel has published 3X bestselling books and his latest book, The Power of a PhD, debuted on the Barnes & Noble bestseller list. His methods for getting PhDs hired have been featured in the Harvard Business Review, Nature, Forbes, The Guardian, Fast Company, Entrepreneur Magazine and Success Magazine.

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Here's What Others Are Saying

"I aced the interview, I signed yesterday and begin next month!"

Sinduri Vuppala

Sinduri Vuppala

Field Application Specialist

at Bruker Daltonics

"One thing I feel I did great was joining the association as a Diamond member. Modules and Classes helped me to prepare ahead of the search- to do and to go right. The other useful thing was the accountability forum....your classes and modules really helped me to believe in myself and have confidence in myself. I value myself as a PhD. I gave a shot for a senior scientist position, and got one!"

Nabina Paudyal

Nabina Paudyal

Senior Computational Scientist

at Colossal Biosciences

"I am happy to share that I'm starting a new position as a European Portfolio Manager at Scientific Instruments!"

 Shikha Acharya

Shikha Acharya

European Portfolio Manager

at Scientific Instruments

"I am happy to share I am starting a new position!"

Mary Hidde

Mary Hidde

Clinical trial manager

at Medspace

"I signed with ASML for 117k! (asked for 120 and they came up from 110) plus a 10% target annual bonus."

Andrew Dawes, PhD

Andrew Dawes, PhD

Senior Applications Engineer

at ASML

"I would like to express my appreciation and assure that your school was eye-openning, thanks! I registered on your course 2 months ago and from total ghosting I ended up with a dream job in biotech."

Petro Starokadomskyy

Petro Starokadomskyy

Senior Scientist

at Kyverna Therapeutics

"I accepted my job offer today. I was able to get 5k more + the exact PTO package I wanted. I am very happy and very thankful for everything that I learned through the event. I plan to stay involved with Cheeky Scientist as I love what y'all are doing and I'm still learning."

Tracy Gardner, PhD

Tracy Gardner, PhD

Senior Measurement Advisor

at Pearson

"I just accepted an offer to be a Clinical Researcher Coordinator for a pain clinic near me. I'll be helping them run their clinical trial that uses a device to stimulate nerves to relieve patients pain. I start next Wednesday. So excited! I wanted to say thanks to Isaiah and all the members of the Cheeky team for your help! I really appreciate it!"

Natasha Fowler

Natasha Fowler

Clinical Research Coordinator

at Columbia Pain Management, P.C

"Thanks to Cheeky Scientist, I now have an offer letter in my hand and a new career in the industry, which makes me incredibly happy and excited for the future. The training Cheeky Scientist provided was successful since it helped me to carefully consider my skills and improve how I approached my job search. I gained more confidence talking to recruiters and engaging in on-site interviews thanks to the many training modules and live sessions Cheeky Scientist offered. I had a lot of back-and-forth interactions with prospective employers as offers came in, and Cheeky Scientist helped me be a good negotiator. Through Cheeky Scientist, I could ultimately search for, negotiate, and select my best career route."

Vishnu Modur

Vishnu Modur

Clinical Trial Associate/Manager

at Medspace

"You will not believe it..... I got them up another 60K and they changed my title!"

Ryan Hendricks

Ryan Hendricks

Project Manager, Rapid Industry Solutions: On-Set Virtual Production

at SMPTE

"I am happy to share I am starting a new position!"

Tharcisse Guedegbe

Tharcisse Guedegbe

Policy Researcher

at African Bank Development Group

"I am happy to share that I'm starting a new position as a Research Scientist at Cellecta, Inc.!"

Chaitali Saqcena

Chaitali Saqcena

Research Scientist

at Cellecta, Inc.

"The decision is final - it is Cormetech!"

Carlos Vargas Garcia

Carlos Vargas Garcia

at Cormetech

"I am happy to share I am starting a new position! Excited to start this position with excellent colleagues!"

Tanumoy Mondul

Tanumoy Mondul

Senior Scientist

at Sanofi

"I have been quiet here for a while but happy to finally share that I've transitioned! It was a long and challenging journey towards transition, being at another full-time job plus being a toddler mom, but I am so thankful I found this supportive community that has helped me and motivated me throughout."

Shobana Sekar

Shobana Sekar

Senior Bioinformatics Scientist

at Roche

Similar Articles

Have A PhD And Over 40 Years Old? Better Do This

Have A PhD And Over 40 Years Old? Better Do This

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Isaiah, I’ve got 15 years of experience, a PhD, and more publications than I can count, yet no one seems to want to hire me.  What am I doing wrong?”  I hear this from PhDs over the age of 40 who are struggling to get their foot in the door, and the truth is, your age and experience may be working against you in today’s job market.  Employers, especially younger hiring managers, may see you as overqualified, set in your ways, or not as easily trainable as a younger candidate.  The unfortunate reality is that ageism is rampant in today’s…

Why PhDs Are Mentally Tough (& How They Use It To Get Hired)

Why PhDs Are Mentally Tough (& How They Use It To Get Hired)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Isaiah, I’m at my wit’s end.  I’ve applied to countless jobs, networked extensively, and still, nothing.  It feels like I’m just spinning my wheels.”  This is a sentiment I hear often from PhDs who are navigating the challenging waters of the job market.  The frustration and mental fatigue are real, especially when you’re used to achieving high levels of success in academia.  But let’s get one thing straight – you are not alone, and this is not the end.  It’s just a bump in the road.  Yes, the job search is grueling.  There’s no sugar-coating it.  But here’s the thing…

Is Cheeky Scientist A Scam? Who Shouldn't Join The Association

Is Cheeky Scientist A Scam? Who Shouldn't Join The Association

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Is Cheeky Scientist a scam?   Has anyone here had any experience with the Cheeky Scientist Association? Is Cheeky Scientist worth it?  What’s the deal with Cheeky Scientist? Is Cheeky Scientist legit? PhDs are trained to be critical.  In academia and in life, every decision they’re faced with is made with extreme prejudice. Examining facts, collecting resources, and determining what is a trustworthy source of information is one of their biggest strengths.  PhDs have superior critical thinking skills, so it makes sense for them to carefully consider any investment – even if it’s an investment in themselves. And in almost every…

Should You Delete Your PhD From Your Resume? The Answer May Surprise You

Should You Delete Your PhD From Your Resume? The Answer May Surprise You

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

If you have a PhD, you’re overqualified for an industry job. PhDs are lab rats and can’t understand business. You can’t get a job without industry experience. Do any of these sentences sound familiar to you? Have you been looking for an industry job unsuccessfully and have reached a point where you ask yourself if your PhD has any value whatsoever? These sentences are myths, commonly said by either academics who don’t understand anything about industry, or by other job candidates who don’t want to compete with PhDs. Hiring managers for PhD-level industry positions want the best candidates possible. After…

4 Skills PhDs Have That Employers Are Desperately Seeking

4 Skills PhDs Have That Employers Are Desperately Seeking

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

The number of PhDs wanting to transition out of academia increases every year. Initially, most of these PhDs were recent graduates and postdocs.  But as the crisis in academia has gotten worse, we are seeing a lot of adjunct and even tenured professors wanting to leave. They feel professionally unfulfilled in academic positions because they are overworked, work in uninspiring roles, and/or are paid marginal academic stipends, fellowships, and wages.  Far too many PhDs are unable to find any meaning or joy in their academic careers, which negatively impacts both their professional and personal lives. Unfortunately, many of these PhDs end up…

The Exciting (or, Dreadful) First 90 Days Of A New Job. Here's What To Expect

The Exciting (or, Dreadful) First 90 Days Of A New Job. Here's What To Expect

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Like many PhDs, I thought I could jump into my first industry position ready to hit the ground running. Much to my surprise, this was not the case.   During the first few months of my new position, I felt like I was drowning. Everything I thought I knew about my field, how research is conducted, and how companies operate was turned on its head. I was not prepared for this major shift, and it showed. I waivered between trying to impress my managers and sitting mute in meetings, intimidated by everyone in the room. If I had known what…

The Inside Scoop On The Industry Onboarding Process

The Inside Scoop On The Industry Onboarding Process

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Nothing could prepare me for the shock I received walking into my first industry onboarding experience. Literally, everything was different from what I had experienced in academia. The processes, the culture, the pace – absolutely everything. I also had no idea what onboarding meant. I heard the word tossed around but, to me, it was just the process you went through to get all the mandatory paperwork out of the way. That was so far from the truth. My first onboarding experience lasted almost 6 months. Yet, throughout that whole process, I had no idea that I was still being…

The One Productivity Hack Every PhD Needs To Get Hired In Industry

The One Productivity Hack Every PhD Needs To Get Hired In Industry

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

If your job search isn’t producing results, perhaps you’re doing too little. Or, just as likely, you’re doing too much… too much of the wrong things. You may think “If I just spent more hours of the day searching and applying for jobs, I’m sure to land a job eventually.” But investing more time into a job search without a strategy is time wasted. An effective job search strategy is one that conserves our most precious resource: our mental energy.   Protecting your mental energy is the one productivity hack that every PhD needs to get hired in industry. As…

3 Factors PhDs Must Consider When Deciding Company Fit

3 Factors PhDs Must Consider When Deciding Company Fit

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

If you recently started your job search, you probably feel the pressure of proving that you’re a good fit for the industry roles you’re applying to.  You have to carefully craft your cover letter, resume, and LinkedIn profile, and prepare for countless interviews just to prove you’re  qualified for a position.  This pressure can make you feel that employers hold all the power, and the only thing that matters is convincing them that you’re the best candidate for the role. Don’t let this pressure make you neglect other key components of a successful career, like company fit.  You’ll likely accept…

Our Members Get Hired At Top Industry Companies

Top Industry Career eBooks

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD & Arunodoy Sur, PhD

Learn about the best 63 industry careers for PhDs (regardless of your academic background). In this eBook, you will gain insight into the most popular, highest-paying jobs for PhDs – all of which will allow you to do meaningful work AND get paid well for it.

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Learn how to craft the perfect industry resume to attract employers. In this eBook for PhDs, you will get access to proven resume templates, learn how to structure your bullet points, and discover which keywords industry employers want to see most on PhD resumes.

AI & ATS Resume Filters

AI & ATS Resume Filters

Isaiah Hankel

In today's competitive job market, understanding the impact of AI is crucial for career success. This involves ensuring your resume stands out in the digital realm, mastering your online presence, and being aware of how AI assigns reputation scores. Discovering how to leverage AI to your advantage is essential, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping professional opportunities.

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel

The LinkedIn tips & strategies within have helped PhDs from every background get hired into top industry careers.