PhD Career Clarity Program (with bonus!)

PhD Career Clarity Program

A 6-month self-paced online program for professors, postdocs, and other PhDs who are ready to leave academia and get great-fit jobs where you're valued, even if you have no idea what you want to do next.

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Leave academia and land your next great-fit role so you can live where you want, get paid well, and do meaningful work with supportive colleagues.

$999.00

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6 monthly payments of $175

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Are you a professor, postdoc, or other PhD who's ready to leave academia? Welcome.

You've been a successful academic.

You've won scholarships and awards, presented or published papers, taught and mentored students, and contributed new knowledge to your field. You're doing what you can to make a difference.

But now you're at a crossroads in your career. You want to leave academia. But you aren't exactly sure what's next.

Part of you knows you have the skills, experience, and knowledge to get paid to do something meaningful and fulfilling. You want this for yourself.

But you’re struggling to figure out what, and where, and with whom.

What are you qualified to do? What do you even want to do? Is there a job for that?

Oh, and crucially: Can you get paid enough for doing it?

And will you still like who you are? You aren't interested in selling out.

Ugh.

Security, flexibility, and freedom are important to you – that’s partly why you pursued a PhD in the first place!

But now you’re looking ahead to a career that isn’t living up to your expectations and you’re wondering “is this all there is?”

My answer is “You can have what you want and need and deserve. And you can have it faster and easier than you fear. And let's lessen the emotional devastation you experience while you're at it, okay?”

Join PhD Career Clarity, a self-paced 6-month program for professors, postdocs, and other PhDs ready to change careers without giving up what they love about academic work.

A holistic, step-by-step job search framework developed for PhDs

Learn the PhD Career Clarity System

1: Prepare for Action

Get ready for success before you start actively applying for jobs so you can effectively focus your efforts and not waste time and energy later on.

2: Focus on Yourself

Clarify who you are and what you want in your life and work going forward. Assess and appreciate the skills and experiences you already have.

3: Identify Possibilities

What is out there for you? Gather up-to-date, accurate, and relevant information & insights so you can decide what jobs will suit you best.

4: Market to Employers

Develop and implement your active job search strategy so you can confidently apply and interview for select great-fit-for-you positions.

Personalized Job Search Coaching

Join me for regular small-group coaching and live monthly workshops.

We cover everything from navigating the emotions of job searching to negotiating offers with confidence.

Plus, it's an opportunity to ask me and like-minded PhD job seekers questions directly and get immediate responses. Can't join live? Not problem: It's all recorded.

Who joins the PhD Career Clarity Program?

Whether you're a long-tenured professor or newly out of your PhD, I want to help you land meaningful, viable work where you'll have real impact without all the downsides you're tired of enduring.

Professors who want to change careers without giving up the best parts of academia.
Postdocs who want fulfilling careers that don’t depend on them getting grants and moving all over the world.
PhDs who want to better leverage their skills and experiences to do more meaningful work.
Other long-time academics who are ready to move into new careers that value their experiences.

What's included in PhD Career Clarity Program

The PhD Career Clarity self-paced course anchors the program. You'll start there. Then—and this is optional—join me every two weeks for live small group coaching over Zoom, monthly workshops, and access our private online community and growing library of recordings and other resources anytime! (You'll have access to it all for 6 months.) Click on each item to learn more:

I'm Jennifer Polk, PhD, and I created this PhD career clarity program to guide and support people just like you

Hi there! Call me Jen. I live in Toronto with my cat Izzy. You've probably seen her on my Twitter account (@FromPhDtoLife).

I started my business, From PhD to Life, in 2013. Since then I've worked with many hundreds of PhDs from the US, Canada, and elsewhere around the world, across all disciplines and career goals. I help PhDs and other long-time academics clarity their career directions so they can confidently market themselves for jobs they actually want.

Beyond my work with individuals, I facilitate workshops and deliver presentations at universities and related organizations on job searching and career transitions for graduate students and postdocs.

I'm also proud to serve on the board of directors for the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS). Plus, I'm on the management committee for a multi-year transborder project about PhD career paths. Neat, eh? (I think so!) My blog is a three-time gold winner at the Canadian Online Publishing Awards, and my writing has been published in places such as the Chronicle of Higher Education, University Affairs, and Inside Higher Ed. Before all this, I earned my PhD in history from the University of Toronto.

Now, I'm excited to bring all this experience and expertise into my PhD Career Clarity program. This is a space where we'll work together to define your career goals and equip you with the tools to reach them. So, are you ready to start the next chapter in your professional journey? Let's get started.

I've helped PhDs and other long-time academics clarify their career direction and launch meaningful careers since 2013

Read real feedback from program members and coaching clients!

"LOVING the course"

Hi Jen, LOVING the course so far! I'm just wrapping up the fifth lesson, and already I've learned so much about myself. Lots of what you talk about really resonates with me and also helped me feel less alone about the mental blocks I put up that are getting in the way of finding the right job for me.

Ari Bell, PhD (psychology)

"Long-term vision"

I was able to better understand what was important to me in job searches, and, in turn, could articulate to employers why I was interested in their job posting, how my priorities align with their institution, and the long-term vision of my career.

Moriah Bellissimo, PhD, RD (nutrition and health sciences)

"No longer feel alone"

Before joining the program, I was in a well-paying job, but it didn't tap into the research and writing skills I honed during my PhD. I felt frustrated, because the typical career development advice didn’t apply to my situation. I joined the program hoping to redirect my career towards a role that would be more fulfilling while also drawing on my academic knowledge and using my PhD skills. One of my most profound “aha moments” came during a group coaching session. Fellow members pointed out that I probably felt isolated being the only PhD in my department! And I’d likely benefit from seeking PhD allies in similar situations. While I'm still on my journey, I no longer feel alone in the job search process. The concept of “gremlins”—those critical voices that can hinder job search efforts—has been a game-changer for me. The group coaching sessions have been invaluable, offering advice, shared challenges, and a supportive community. I'd recommend this program to anyone looking to transition out of academia or seeking fulfilling work post-academia.

Sarah Culpeper, PhD (music)

"Finding my focus"

The best part of the course for me was finding my focus. I went through the recommended exercises and found that it was really helpful to write down exactly what I was seeking - this really helped me to limit my search and not get bogged down by just applying for jobs that were likely not suitable. I was lucky in that I could wait for the job that truly appealed to me and even though it was frustrating at times, my patience paid off and I was able to secure a short term contract in my dream job (role and organization)... I also found it helpful to be in a supportive environment and hear from other PhDs and also of course your support and listening ear! Thanks for asking the right questions and always being empathetic to the difficult task of job seeking.

Jane Doe,* PhD (public health)

"Excellent experience"

Working with Jen was an excellent experience. I have a PhD and am in the midst of an academia to industry transition. Jen understood what I was going through in a unique way as only someone who has also gone through it can. Every session, she challenged my assumptions and preconceived notions about my career transition and asked the right questions to unlock feelings and ideas I did not even know I had. I have come out of this experience immersed in a new industry sector with goals that better align with who I am and my core values. Jen taught me to identify and name my fears and how to work through them to move forward. I highly recommend working with Jen, especially if you have a PhD unsure of what to do outside of academia or how to go about finding a job in industry.

Matthew G. Doyle, PhD, PEng (mechanical engineering)

"Profound breakthroughs"

My job was wrapping up and felt pretty lost about my next steps. The thought of figuring it out on my own was daunting. I hoped to find a more stable job and identify my skills and interests, but what I gained was so much more. Breakthrough moments included discovering new insights about myself and gaining clarity about the types of jobs that excite me. I gained a lot of confidence in myself. I went from having practically no contacts in my new area to dozens, and the biweekly Q&As with Jen were invaluable. I've started a new job that offers the stability I craved, and I've built a wonderful professional network. Now, thinking about the next step in my career is much less intimidating. I recommend the program to anyone who doesn't have a clear idea about what they want to do after academia. It will provide you with insights, a supportive community, and equip you with a clear process to achieve your goals.

Jennifer Farooq, PhD (history)

"Gave me space"

The PhD Career Clarity Program gave me the space I needed to reflect on who I am, what matters to me, and how I define meaningful work, helping me lean on my own inner wisdom to navigate decisions about next steps in my career. Each section reinforces that central guidance—you can find work that matters to you and aligns with your goals and values. Tools in the Prep and Focus sections (like the “Gremlins and Other Unhelpful Stories” worksheet) made me more mindful of the stuff gunking up my thoughts around career choice and reminded me of personal strengths I could call upon. Building on this foundation of self-knowledge, the Identify and Market lessons provided highly practical, expert strategies and exercises aimed at making the job search process more targeted and effective. I feel fortunate to be moving forward in my career with the gems of self-insight that came from taking this course alongside a wonderful community of fellow jobseekers. Thanks Jen!

Katie Hynes, PhD (English)

"Demystify the process"

Jen’s Career Clarity program helped demystify the job search process and made me feel less alone. I felt pretty lost knowing I had to find a new job but not knowing the steps I needed to follow to get there. But with Jen’s help, I feel so strong and confident in my marketability and my ability to change careers (in the middle of a pandemic!) without sacrificing my values.

Rachel Hynson, PhD (history)

"A game-changer"

When I first joined this program, I was burnt out, demoralized, and overwhelmed by the prospect of leaving academia. The transformation since then has been nothing short of remarkable. Through the program's exercises and chats with the community, I've gone from feeling lost to having a clear direction. I've identified my concrete skills and the roles that genuinely excite me, and I'm now confidently pursuing project management/language scientist roles. The program's reflective nature was more intense than I expected, but it's been invaluable, providing insights I continually refer to during my job applications. The webinars and weekly sessions have been awesome, helping me understand the subtle shifts in industry practices. While I'm still actively job seeking, my morale has done a complete 180. I'm hopeful, grateful for the support, and eager to stay connected even after my search ends. This program has been a game-changer for me.

Lex Konnelly, PhD (linguistics)

"Transformative"

Before joining the program, I was a few months into my job search, feeling like I was spinning my wheels. I was using the “spray and pray” method, applying to various roles without a clear direction. I felt isolated, thinking that leaving academia was a betrayal of my training. My job search was a very private endeavour. Joining the program was transformative. The initial personal exploration module helped me articulate my goals. But the real game-changer was the biweekly check-ins. It was exciting to connect, learn from, and share my experience with others on the same journey. The community was invaluable. As I invested in the program, opportunities started to come my way. I secured a role that was an ideal opportunity for me. The program taught me the power of structured self-exploration and the invaluable support of a like-minded community. Now, I trust in my ability to adapt and build a network, something I’ll be doing in my career going forward. I recommend the program to anyone feeling lost in their transition out of academia.

Steve Lundy, PhD (classics)

"Genuinely helped me"

I joined the program when I was writing up and I knew that I didn't want to take a long break, that I was going to job hunt. But at the same time I knew that because I had worked in academia for a number of years, I wanted to switch gears and try something different. I'm an organized person, I like things structured, and I like to know what I'm doing next. And that's when I thought the program could help me with that. I thought I owed it to myself after working for so long and studying for so long and having three degrees. The process was definitely made easier by the program. I'm not saying it for the sake of it! It genuinely helped me, and I'm really grateful for that. I had to do some self reflection and I didn't know where to start. And having this structure really helped me plan it accordingly. It's really cool how much the program enabled me to do things that I had heard about but didn't have the right tools or the right methods to do it.

Sej Modha, PhD (bioinformatics)

"Wonderful resource"

It's been a wonderful course/resource. Thank you for the work and nuance you've put into it. Super helpful to think about what skills I would have liked to deepen during my work in industry that I can do so now as a PhD student (grant writing and program evaluation, for example).

Yvette Ramirez, PhD student (information)

"I'm over the moon"

Thank you so much for your support in the Career Clarity program! It was just what I needed as I was taking my first steps out of academia. I felt alone, disoriented, insecure, clueless, and hopeless. Two weeks ago, just six months after that difficult start, I got the best job I could possibly hope for. I remember reading these kinds of sentences from other transitioning PhDs and thinking it couldn't happen to me. Well, it did! I'm over the moon, and the interactions with you have been an instrumental part of my success. My favorite part was the live Q&A sessions. Your personalized advice was super helpful, and the moral support was breathing life into me. I didn't feel alone anymore because I felt that I have you to guide me and the rest of the group by my side.

Tania Smith,* PhD (philosophy)

"Scaffolded approach"

I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what I learned from the Career Clarity program. Your system helped me develop a framework for realizing what I want from my next career, and I am now much more confident in my ability to navigate a non-academic job search. As someone who has experience in the field of faculty professional development, I really appreciate the way your course takes a scaffolded approach to the exit from academia.

Joel P. Sodano, PhD (English)

"Truly magical!"

I would like to share my sincere gratitude for your coaching and guidance. 🙏 Throughout the period of 7 months, I learned a lot and was able to bag three full-time industry and two short-term consultancy offers (in the field I was aiming for and all through networking). Beginning from the period when everything looked so overwhelming, uncertain and unachievable to actually seeing things working out in the right direction is truly magical! Your course, resources, and bimonthly group Zoom meetings were really helpful. As many also mentioned previously, just showing up for those Zoom meetings was encouraging. I have now become your ambassador in my network in India & Germany, directing everyone to your webpage whoever wants to transition into the industry.

Megha Tyagi, PhD (urban planning)

"Exactly what I needed"

A year into a prestigious postdoc, I knew that I wanted to leave academia, but struggled to articulate what I wanted to do next. After attending one of Jen’s webinars, I decided to give the Career Clarity Program a try, because I resonated with the program’s focus on defining one’s values and goals before starting a post-academic job search. Through assessments, guided worksheets, and the invaluable biweekly Zoom calls, I was able to identify what I bring to an organization, and more importantly, craft a narrative about my career trajectory. These factors gave me a much-needed confidence boost, and I found an amazing job much more quickly than I had anticipated! The Career Clarity Program was exactly what I needed during my transition out of academia. I loved the self-paced structure of the program, and felt supported knowing that I was not alone in the challenges I faced. As mentioned previously, one of the great strengths of the program is its focus on values and goals; knowing what drives you is critical to creating a life that allows you to flourish!

Alexa Wood, PhD (environmental social sciences)

FAQ

How long does the program take? I'm looking for a job now.

The core course is about 5 hours of videos. You'll want to do the "homework" for each lesson, to gain the most benefit from the program. I recommend dedicating a week to the first two sections (Prep, Focus), then moving into Identify and Market over the following weeks. The program includes access to all program materials and support from Jen via small group Zoom meetings for a full 6 months, but that doesn't mean it will take you that long to go through everything and get your next great job. You can go as fast or slow as you want.
I’ve been teaching for a long time, but am now considering leaving the academy. Is this program right for me?

Absolutely. I've worked with many professors over the years, and I designed this program with them in mind. The program is for any PhD (including professors, postdocs, and others) who wants a change, but doesn't yet know what direction to go in next. That's what career clarity is all about.
I'm still a PhD student / not looking for work right now. When's the best time to sign up?

Great question. A job search, especially one that lands you a great job you actually want, can take a while. The bulk of the material in this program covers the work you need to do before you're actively applying for jobs -- all the self-assessment, career exploration, and networking activities that are so important to setting yourself up for success. Ideally you join a few before you plan to be looking for work.
My PhD is in X. Does this program apply to me?

I (Jen) created this program for PhDs from any and all disciplines. The principles and strategies I teach work for all PhDs. As you identify the job and career options that work for you, you will (as part of the program) seek specific advice and information from professionals in your target field(s). Check out the testimonials on this page for a sense of the variety of PhDs I've worked with.
Can I get personalized advice and feedback? How much interaction is there?

Yes! You get access to regular live small group Zoom meetings where you can ask whatever questions you have about your own job search, share experiences, and learn from what other PhD job seekers are doing. We discuss emotional blocks, workshop application materials, brainstorm strategy, and whatever else comes up. These are my favourite! All these sessions are recorded so you can catch up later. You can also ask questions or respond to prompts and other content anytime in our exclusive online community.
What if I'm still on the academic job market, or want to be soon? Is the program only for PhDs who plan to leave academia?

Great question! I know from my years of experience working with PhDs that folks wind up all over the place, including academia, even if they start out not thinking they will. That's why the program doesn't assume you will decide to leave academia. I'm happy to support folks who are pursuing academic positions.
I want to use professional development funds to pay for this. Can you help?

Absolutely. Email me [email protected] and we can set this up. I'm happy to generate custom invoices and receipts as needed, or set up payment links so your finance officer can pay on your behalf.
I’d love to learn more before I decide if this program is right for me.

Here's a free introductory training video that lays out my approach to the PhD job search process, especially for long-time academics such as faculty members, postdocs, and other PhDs who identify as academics. >> https://fromphdtolife.com/phd-job-search-help/ You can email me to learn more, or get at me on social media. You can reach me on Twitter, LinkedIn, via the From PhD to Life Facebook page, or email [email protected]. I'd love to answer your questions.

What's Inside the Program

Watch the video tour