The Difficult Decision of Leaving Academia
Leaving academia after years of research is never easy. As someone who went through a PhD and a postdoc –read more about my journey-, I know the doubts, internal struggles, and outside pressures that arise when you ask yourself: Should I stay in academia, or is it time to move on?
I’m not here to play the role of mentor or counselor. Instead, I believe you already have the answers inside you. What you may need is guidance to unlock them. This is where coaching for scientists can make a real difference.
What Coaching Really Means
As John Whitmore explains in Coaching for Performance, coaching is about unlocking people’s potential to maximize performance. It’s not just a technique—it’s a way of thinking and creating the conditions for growth.
In a coaching session, you won’t be given instructions. Instead, you’ll be asked powerful questions that help you uncover your own solutions. This process leads to behavior changes and ultimately impacts your career and life achievements in a positive way.
Who Can Benefit from Coaching?
Coaching was once reserved for top executives, but today it’s a widely used tool for anyone facing challenges or change. Whether you want to excel in your current role, explore new career paths, or simply find clarity during a transition, coaching provides support.
For scientists, this often means:
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Making career decisions with confidence.
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Overcoming self-doubt about skills beyond academia.
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Breaking free from unhelpful patterns, like procrastination or perfectionism.
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When Research Feels Like a Trap
Does this sound familiar?
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You’re so immersed in your research that you can’t find time to think about your future.
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You procrastinate finishing your thesis, even though you want to move forward.
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You think your PhD only gave you technical skills, not useful outside academia.
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When considering a career shift, doubts creep in: “I have no skills. Nothing outside academia is worth applying for.”
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These are common struggles, but you don’t have to face them alone.
7 reasons coaching might be beneficial for you:
Here are some ways coaching can support scientists at crossroads:
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You struggle to communicate with your supervisor or colleagues.
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You can’t take time away from research to plan your career.
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You believe your PhD only gave you narrow technical skills.
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You procrastinate finishing your thesis.
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You feel trapped by myths like “Leaving academia makes me a failure.”
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You’re unsure where to start when exploring careers beyond academia.
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You want to stay in academia but feel stuck in your creativity and innovation.
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Moving Forward with Clarity
If you see yourself in any of the situations above, coaching can provide a structured way to move forward. Together, we can set clear objectives, design strategies, and build the confidence to take the next steps—whether in academia or beyond.
The decision to leave academia is deeply personal, but you don’t have to navigate it in isolation. Coaching helps you connect with your strengths, explore new possibilities, and move toward a fulfilling career.
Sources
- John Whitmore in his book Coaching for performance,.
- Joanne Kamens. Career coaching for scientist. Nature Biotechnology (33)
- Eilene Zimmerman. Ready for the Big Leagues? Ask a Career Coach. The New York Times.
