What is PhD Paths?
Building the greatest career discovery resource for PhDs.
PhD Paths is the ultimate resource for past, present, and future PhDs looking to transition out of academia into meaningful, impactful careers.
Who Is PhD Paths For?
PhD Paths is for:
🎓 PhD Students, Postdocs, & Academics – You're considering a non-academic career and wondering, “What is out there for someone like me?”
🧠 Current PhD Job Seekers – You’re deep in job boards, overwhelmed by options, and want real insight from people who’ve actually made the leap. You’re looking to network with PhD professionals already in the industries you’re interested in.
🚀 Career Explorers – You’re interested in getting a PhD and want to discover what’s out there after the degree, learn from others’ stories, and get practical tools to help you decide what’s next.
PhD Paths doesn’t just tell you what’s possible. It gives you the stories, data, and resources to take action and move toward a career you actually want.
What Do You Get?
Every Tuesday, you’ll get a story of a PhD who successfully transitioned out of academia, highlighting:
✨ Their journey: How they discovered a non-academic path
✨ Their strategy: What actually worked to help them land the job
✨ Their reflections: What advice they have for you
These are real stories, real career paths, real advice. All for free.
Who’s Behind PhD Paths?
Hi, I’m Ashley — a Neurosciences PhD from Stanford who’s just trying to help other PhDs find fulfilling careers beyond academia.
When I started grad school, I knew academia wasn’t for me. I spent hours Googling “what can I do with my PhD?” trying to piece together bits of information. But most of what I found were facts — not feelings.
I didn’t want a list of job titles or descriptions.
I wanted stories.
I wanted to hear someone say: “Here’s where I started. Here’s what I was feeling. And here’s how I got to where I am now.”
What made someone choose their path? How did they navigate the emotional journey of leaving academia — especially when so many people around them treated it like failure?
Because here’s the truth:
So many folks in academia think an academic path is the best path.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
I want every past, present, and future PhD student to know this:
Any career you choose is amazing if it’s true to you.
It can feel like academia is the only option — until you learn about the many, many paths other PhDs have taken. PhD Paths is the resource I wish I had. And I’ve spent hundreds of hours building it — interviewing PhDs, collecting data, curating stories, and designing tools to help you explore your options.
I truly believe this is the greatest career exploration and networking tool for PhD students and postdocs, and I hope it helps you find your fulfilling post-PhD path.
This is more than a newsletter — it’s a movement to redefine success for PhDs.
And if you’ve read this far, maybe it’s something you’re meant to be part of too.
Thanks for being here :)
- Ashley