“So What Are You Going to Do with That?”: Finding Careers Outside Academia, Third Edition

This third edition of So What Are You Going to Do with That? is especially timely. Graduate students and current academicians are struggling, rather publicly, with the realization that a career in academics is no longer desired. Based on conversations with graduate career counselors and successful post-academics, Basalla and Debelius have written a supportive, resourceful, and well-structured guide for the possibly long and windy journey ahead.

More than a collection of career transition narratives, the authors help readers on the post-academic path assess work and organization preferences; create resumes and cover letters focused on the employers’ needs while highlighting transferable skills; and successfully present oneself in an interview. Profiles at the end of each chapter supplement the stories shared throughout, offering further advice and reassurance that a career outside academia is possible.

Basalla and Debelius understand the challenge of transitioning out of higher education, of pivoting to nonprofit or industry, and advocate for an open job search, encouraging readers to seek assistance from a network of trusted contacts, thus removing the stigma of a post-academic career. This is just the resource to help those in transition find more rewarding work that values and benefits from the academic experience.