Today we again explore what it means to leave academia, as Dr. Sophia Basaldua-Sun shares how an informational interview was key to her success in landing a job outside academia, and what her life in the world of publishing is like.

Leaving Academia is an ongoing sub-series with the Academic Life, with guests candidly sharing their decisions to stay in or leave academia – and where those decisions took them. We consider what going alt-ac means, whether going into admin keeps the academic spark alive, and how far afield people really go. Their decisions are personal, yet universal – how do you build the life you want to build? And how do you know if academia will allow you to do that?

Our guest is: Dr. Sophia Basaldua-Sun, who is the Associate Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Penguin Random House, in New York.

Our host is: Dr. Christina Gessler, who works as a developmental editor for scholars, and is the producer of the Academic Life podcast.

Playlist for listeners:

Leaving Academia: A Practical Guide

PhD Employability: Struggles and Solutions

Making A "Junk Drawer" CV

Rejection Skills: How to Win or Learn

Decoding the admin job market

Hope for the Humanities PhD

When Life After Higher Education Doesn't Go As Planned

Leaving Academia: Pursuing Life Abroad

Contingent Faculty and the Remaking of Higher Education

Should I Quit My PhD Program

The rejection that changed my life

Considering Whether To Stay Or Drop Out

The Connected PhD: Part One

The Connected PhD: Part Two

The Connected PhD: Part Three

Navigating the Community College Job Market

Welcome to Academic Life, the podcast for your academic journey—and beyond! You can support the show by downloading and sharing episodes. Join us again to learn from more experts inside and outside the academy, and around the world. Missed any of the 250+ Academic Life episodes? Find them here. And thank you for listening!

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