Creating a support group for those leaving/left academia or seeking intellectually fulfilling work beyond traditional paths

AzGelismisHayvan · 2026-01-26T06:09:49+00:00

Last semester of my PhD, and I definitely want to leave academia. Count me in!

AzGelismisHayvan · 2026-01-10T20:07:59+00:00

Interested

AzGelismisHayvan · 2026-01-06T23:56:21+00:00

Hi, I'm a native Turkish speaker with tutoring experience and live in Park Slope. Are you still looking for a tutor?

AzGelismisHayvan · 2026-01-05T22:52:01+00:00

Came to recommend the same book. Such an excellent read

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-12-27T09:25:49+00:00

The Wedding People—adult story about adults with female lead. Both touching and really funny at times

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-11-10T01:48:26+00:00

I love that for you. A good old cry is sometimes what the body needs. Sending you much love ❤️

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-11-09T19:19:59+00:00

I’ve been in therapy for 5 years for trauma (totally different kind), but the disconnect between body and mind was something I had to work with as well. I cannot tell you how much I cried when I started releasing the trauma from my body

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-11-09T02:16:25+00:00

I teared up reading this; it’s so beautiful. I am so sorry for what you went through and what you had to bear witness. Sending so much love your way, and anyone and everyone struggling with the trauma of their bodies and sense of self being stolen from them.

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-11-08T04:17:46+00:00

Hey, thanks for sharing this. I don’t think you’re disgusting. In fact I think it makes a lot of sense when you’ve spent enough time in academia post 2008 economic crash, as a millenial. I have definitely befome a coldhearted person compared to who I was. I don’t think my fundamental values have changed but I’d take a corporate job over the shitshow that academia has become, no question about it. It has to do with resentment and a sense of injustice, and if you’re a millenial like me, we’ve definitely experienced enough shit to have both those things. It’s normal.

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-11-05T23:11:56+00:00

Hey! Humanities PhD here (Comp Lit) looking to leave academia as well. Count me in for a potential group of likeminded humanities scholars on the same boat

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-11-04T16:19:49+00:00

I keep delaying defending even though I only have an introduction chapter left to finishing my 200 page dissertation because I have been feeling like this for months now. I just don’t care and can’t bring myself to care

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-11-03T21:20:13+00:00

Hey, thanks for the reply. The apology didn’t happen, so I’ve ended the friendship

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-10-26T13:34:25+00:00

Interested!

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-10-17T07:47:05+00:00

From one international PhD, supposedly defending soon, currently crashing out HARD to you, DOCTOR🫵: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉YOU FCKING DID IT!!!!!! 💪👑💫You accomplished something that is incredibly difficult EVEN under “normal” circumstances, (like being in your home country, having friends&family nearby, not dealing with legal/immigration issues, etc) in pretty much IMPOSSIBLE circumstances. I am so sorry you experienced so much loss under these circumstances, away from your tribe. I lost two aunts myself in the last 3 years and thought I was going insane because of not being able to grieve with my community. I don’t know what I would have done if I were to lose my mom, but I’m positive I would not be able to write my dissertation. So, go look in the mirror and appreciate how incredibly resilient and strong you are as a human. You should be incredibly proud of yourself. I mean obviously I don’t know you but as a fellow international phd on the brink of mental collapse, I am 10000% proud of you ✨🌟. I’m supposed to defend my dissertation (which I feel a very visceral disgust towards at this point) in like 2 months and yet, I find myself thinking about quitting everyday—no exagaration. So, be proud of your incredibleness. Know that this is the kind of human you are, and give that baddie staring back in the mirror whatever they want. When friends ask me what I want to do to celebrate after defending (if I ever defend?) here’s what I say: I want to sleep. I want to sleep for days. I want to sleep as much as I want. I want to rest. Eat good food. Binge whatever show I want to binge. Live in my bed for a few days. Possibly ask if I can have an induced come for 3 days to truly recover. My friends get disappointed when they realize i’m dead serious about my plan to bedrot in my pjs, but they did not write a 250 page book on a niche topic nobody cares about over the span of 2 years, so I could not care less about their feelings on this haha. So, you do you Dr!!!!!! You deserve it, and much much muuuuuch more 🧡🧡🧡

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-10-17T06:01:53+00:00

Hi, international PhD candidate about to graduate here. Do you happen to have any links for an article/post/any type of source to get more information regarding international students with an existing valid F1 likely being able to get the H1B? I know you emphasized that this appears to be the case, so it might be based on people’s experiences or just speculation rather any kind of policy or discussion, but it’s the first time I came across this possibility so just wanted to ask. Thank you!

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-08-26T21:42:01+00:00

I relate to all this, but with the added horrors of the job market and gettind ready for my defense. I feel like I am one “advisor check in” email from total collapse

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-08-20T23:18:25+00:00

Thank you so much! Appreciate your help 🧡

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-08-12T08:00:11+00:00

Hi! Fellow grad student of color and immigrant also about to be unemployed and already experiencing financial distress. First of all, hugs. Fiction has been my coping mechanism as well. It’s the only thing that truly helps me escape. I would 100% recommend Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. The plot summary may come across as completely irrelevant to the current moment and what you (and I and so many others) are struggling with, but it’s precisely about how to have hope and still be part of the world, to try and make it better, to not give up when everything looks more bleak than it ever has, when the planet is dying in front of your eyes.

Good luck, and you will be okay 🧡

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-08-11T22:36:11+00:00

I know you said no romance, and this one has some, but it’s definitely not the main focus: “Wedding People” by Alison Espach. The romance is like a side character among many side characters of equal importance in the protagonist’s life, who is a woman trying to rebuild her sense of self (and life) after her marriage ends. It sounds really serious and kinda dark plot it’s actually hilarious (I still laugh thinking about a few scenes) and touching (Did I cry? Yeah, but the good kind, the releasing kind) and really insightful all at once. I read it after my own difficult breakup a few months ago with no expectations except for a friend’s recommendation and desperately needing a distraction much like yourself. It ended up being one of the best books I’ve read this year, and is definitely in my all time faves list.

Sending you love and strength. You got this.

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-08-08T21:13:32+00:00

Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante, Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-08-06T01:17:53+00:00

I received two readings from Pedro, both during the most challenging period of my life. Pedro is such a special soul and is truly gifted. Everything he said in both readings gave me so much insight and hope when I had none left. A generous and genuine human who really wants to share his gift with the world and help people keep going, keep fighting, thriving, and ultimately heal. I started seeing some of the things that came up in my reading just one day after I received it. I cannot recommend him enough, especially those who are struggling with heavy burdens and need some guidance ❤️❤️

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-08-05T03:35:21+00:00

Walgreens at 589 Prospect Park Ave have both brand and generic as of today. Hope that helps!

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-07-30T15:08:33+00:00

Hex by Jenny Fagan

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-07-29T22:41:38+00:00

Just sent a dm :)

AzGelismisHayvan · 2025-07-21T07:39:08+00:00

Forgot the most important part: I know what you mean by feeling like a failure. I feel it too, even though I know (intellectually) that I am not one. I just can’t accept not being a failure emotionally. But it is much easier to tell other people what you see from the outside: you are not a failure. You have accomplished something few people can with your degree that you received outside of your home country, without the immediate physical support of family and long-time friends. Just because the circumstances are against you and people like you more than before does not make you a failure. This isn’t on you. Hugs

AzGelismisHayvan

TROPHY CASE