In this episode, Matthew Sillence meets Dr. Holly Prescott to discuss navigating careers beyond academia. Holly recounts her own non-linear career path: after leaving her first university, she returned to study, completed an English degree and PhD, and found that teaching, student support and helping people make decisions mattered more than staying within one subject. A postgraduate ambassador role formed a bridge into recruitment and career guidance at the University of Birmingham.

Drawing on her new book, Navigating Careers Beyond Academia: A Practical Handbook for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers, Holly discusses her decision to address the emotional impact of transitioning out of an academic role, rather than immediately focusing on CVs or job titles. She shares an exercise to help researchers identify valued tasks, what they want to leave behind and what they want to add. Holly also encourages low-risk experiments during a PhD, such as organizing events and engaging with hidden abilities, to test interests and develop transferable skills. 

Through the conversation, researchers are reminded that career management is an evolving process and it may take time to explore different roles and work environments. Drawing on the high-level research skills that postgraduate researchers already possess, and turning these abilities to understanding different sectors and roles, is a powerful means of meeting the challenges of the modern job market.

[00:03:29–00:09:23] Prescott’s non-linear academic journey and transition into career guidance.

[00:10:02–00:12:48] Identifying preferred work activities and using a first post-PhD role to experiment.

[00:14:17–00:19:05] Addressing uncertainty, grief, fear of judgment, and rejection during career transitions.

[00:19:57–00:23:58] The Keep/Lose/Add framework and examples of testing interests during a PhD.

[00:26:11–00:29:07] Career management as an ongoing process, while recognizing structural barriers and separating rejection from self-worth.

[00:30:45–00:32:21] Prescott’s book, Postgradual blog, and career workshops.