Leaving academia - how to tell people?

[LisaSimpsonsbff]

I've decided to leave academic research, and have left my job (a temporary research fellowship - I was three months into a two year post) and will start a new job in professional services at a different university next month. I'm not sure how to tell people, or whether to tell people, who aren't direct colleagues. I'm seven years post-PhD and have worked on a succession of three-year contracts since graduating so even though I didn't have a permanent job I have quite a big network of contacts, and some people that I've been quite close to and who have offered me a lot of help and advice with academic jobs, publishing, etc. It feels a bit weird to just quietly disappear, but also a bit self-aggrandizing to do some sort of announcement mass email. Also, the reactions I've had from the two people I had to tell (so they could give references) haven't been great - I think this is a sane, sensible and positive step for me but they have not agreed! (though clearly have decent references since I now have a contract for the new job) Any thoughts on how you'd tell people? Or should I just leave it and figure that they'll probably hear on the grapevine?

[lekkerkroketje]

I'd tell the people you're close to and let LinkedIn or Facebook tell the rest. I always feel sad when one of my friends leaves, but you can still be friends! And jealous because they're braver than me and dared to face the big wide world outside the university and they will probably have a much better working life for it. Good luck!

[NeverSayFreelance]

I work in university professional services too! It's so hard telling people you're leaving a job when it's a nice place. I cried once trying to tell my boss! But everyone will be happy for you.

[Constantlyonthelookout]

You don't need permission to take a good job. Are you a little anxious because you want to keep your hand in - occasional conferences, publishing if you feel like it?

There are all sorts of interesting professional careers in the sector which aren't research-and-teaching. You don't need to be apologetic by any means.

I have planned that if/when I leave I would just move on, perhaps a bland email saying what my new email address is and what academic colleagues/former students can expect e.g. 'as ever, happy to be named as a referee'. Perhaps may add something like 'at this stage of my career I would like to develop my leadership capacity and look forward to where this may take me'.

The sector is changing so much that you don't know what may come next.

Congratulations and good luck!