(Episode 169) Navigating Careers Beyond Academia

Episode overview

Exploring a career beyond academia can bring excitement and possibility, but also uncertainty, questions about identity and a sense that moving on means leaving something behind.

In this episode, Heledd speaks with Dr Holly Prescott about the practical and emotional realities of career transition. They explore why researchers may struggle to recognise their skills, why leaving academia can feel like “giving up”, and how careers beyond academia can offer new ways to use your researcher experience.

Holly also challenges the idea that career development is about finding one perfect destination. Instead, it can begin with taking a next step, gathering information and learning more about what matters to you.

Featured contributor

Dr Holly Prescott — Careers Adviser for Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Birmingham, freelance trainer and consultant, and founder of the PostGradual careers blog. Holly is the author of Navigating Careers Beyond Academia: A Practical Handbook for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers (Routledge, 2026).

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-prescott/

🦋 Bluesky: @holby83.bsky.social

🌐 PostGradual: https://phd-careers.co.uk/

Key themes explored

• The emotional and practical challenges of career transition

• Recognising and communicating transferable skills