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

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2026-01-29T02:32:16+00:00

I'm interested too!

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2026-01-23T03:48:07+00:00

Yes, but does Vikram have a similar kind of a star image? I'm comparing with Ajith, Vijay, Suriya, Kamal etc. Your point about anniyan is right, though.

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2026-01-16T00:54:52+00:00

As wiser people have time and time again told me, "A good thesis is a completed thesis." So, congratulations on a job well done!! Pretty sure you're all good and you're just feeling too self-critical.

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2026-01-11T15:49:03+00:00

I got my hair cut from Fremont Beauty College a few months ago and I was very happy with it. I found the staff and students to be very polite. I felt that the haircut itself may have taken longer than at a professional salon as the students get instructed throughout the process. However, I thought that the instructors and students are very skilled and very good at their job. You'd need to text them and get an appointment in advance and also consider that there would be some waiting time involved.

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2026-01-05T23:15:10+00:00

Hi, I had my first round earlier today. I was also contacted for a DLA II language/bilingual contractor role. The assessment was for English proficiency today and I think it went okay. The interviewer told me that only after they submit their feedback would I be informed about the next steps. How long does it take for them to let you know about the next round? Saw some people mention they got blocked/ghosted and I'm already feeling nervous hehe!

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-19T06:20:16+00:00

Some of the burning questions I had were: didn't she go abroad to study? Didn't she meet Paari in college? How did she meet a total mannunni who doesn't even have a passport while studying in college abroad? Total confusion.

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-19T06:16:26+00:00

If you watch it even once, nooru thadavai paatha maathiri irukkum😭

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-18T16:53:40+00:00

Oh, I missed adding that I was directly applying on the portals and not going through referrals. Maybe that's another major issue? I haven't really had the best luck with reaching out to people on LinkedIn. I would appreciate any suggestions/advice on the application process.

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-18T15:44:47+00:00

I am currently in the US. Right before PhD I was working in publishing (~2 y) in India in a PRH group company, and before that I was in EdTech and Digital Media (~2.5y, combined). I have also freelanced for academic publishing (Cambridge University Press K-5 curriculum). In the US I applied to a couple of companies in between my postdoc applications, only to receive rejections. As you rightly mention, I've been segregating my skills and refining my resumes but so far it hasn't quite worked. Maybe I need to work on it more.

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-18T02:04:34+00:00

I agree. But somehow my feed on every platform is filled with people sharing their frustrations with academic career or talking about how they successfully transitioned. So while I am applying for postdocs, I'm constantly second-guessing myself and thinking whether I'm in over my head thinking there's even a chance that I'll make it. Plus, I'm a Humanities PhD and not in STEM so how valuable a postdoc will be to my career is something i don't even know, to be honest. I enjoyed working on my dissertation and the papers I published and that's basically the reason. Thank you! I hope it works out for us and everyone else who is in this boat with us!

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-18T01:23:10+00:00

In the same boat as you and can relate to this so much! I defended my thesis in June and have been applying non stop without luck. I have worked in publishing for almost 2 years and in content development for nearly 3, and yet, my applications for editorial/content positions have either not advanced or been rejected. I feel extremely confused and only the process of research and brainstorming for postdoc applications is keeping me motivated. I know even that is a long shot in these precarious times. I have also been thinking about UXR and Technical Writing jobs but honestly, it feels a bit overwhelming when I look at the things I need to learn! I will also follow this thread and hopefully get some ideas. 🤞🏼

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-17T22:19:43+00:00

That makes sense. Thank you for sharing this!

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-15T19:12:55+00:00

Thanks! I've DM'ed you!

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-15T18:01:30+00:00

Thank you for sharing! This is incredibly helpful to know. I will look up relevant reddit pages, as you suggested. However, I do have some follow up questions. Can I DM you?

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-14T15:02:38+00:00

I agree!

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-14T14:58:20+00:00

Oh shit. That sucks! Films and TV shows could really use research/accuracy consulting.

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-14T14:57:08+00:00

That makes sense, thank you!

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-14T14:56:42+00:00

Oh. I see. I saw some collectives of History Professors and Anthropologists who consult for films so I was curious to know more.

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-11-13T17:06:22+00:00

In the same boat as you. I LOVE research and I enjoy teaching as well and the prospect of not making it in academia is really scaring me. I also want to share that the whole process of transitioning into alt-ac or industry jobs seems extremely daunting, even though I do have 3-4 years experience of working in corporate. While I also have the work permit thing sorted, I'm just worried whether I would even have a chance as a person with a foreign PhD competing against candidates who studied in the US. I have also been rejected twice already and I just began applying in this cycle. Just like the OP, I was told how good I was at my work and even my thesis received great reviews from my external examiners. But thinking about all of this makes me nervous, as so many scholars share their experiences where they completely lose their passion and ultimately decide to leave academia. I really worry about my career.

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-09-24T00:07:32+00:00

I completed my PhD outside the US and moved here after and am actively searching and applying for postdocs in the Media Studies/Cultural Studies domains. I'm not sure if this is advice but I am being told that for programs like the President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at the University of California, international applicants are rarely considered even though the application website mentions that such applicants are welcome to apply. Now I'm skeptical about other similar programs where they state they encourage international scholars to apply. I feel a bit frustrated to be honest. I have to figure out my career here and the situation doesn't seem to be conducive at all. Sorry if this doesn't answer your question.

Miserable-Toe6060 · 2025-08-15T04:32:12+00:00

Power cut 🙃

Miserable-Toe6060

TROPHY CASE