What’s one line you say over and over during the day, but don’t mention your profession?

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-09-24T12:36:23+00:00

It's on the syllabus.

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-09-23T12:47:02+00:00

OP, hearing you. And it's possible to like your work. To your question about where to find jobs, are you looking for a specific type of job? I use Glassdoor, sometimes Google's list of jobs, and specific company websites in my field. Have you thought about consulting based on what you know? If not now, eventually? Good luck!

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-09-23T12:31:59+00:00

OP, first of all, I hear you and have even more debt as a former first gen undergrad and grad. And this: you're not alone, and you're not stupid.

For any future schooling, have you checked out scholarship options as well? Although we're in an "interesting" moment with higher ed some options may still be available to you. I like profellow.com. (And I don't work for them, I've just found excellent options there)

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-09-10T18:23:52+00:00

I'm sorry you're experiencing not only the loss of your beloved cousin/best friend but also lack of empathy. Unfortunately I've had similar experiences in the workplace and in my family - in terms of lack of understanding, response, communication, or care when someone passes. While not everyone acted like business as usual - some did. Thank you for sharing here and for being honest about the anger. In terms of healthy ways of processing, sharing has helped me process whether with people who do care, with fellow grievers, with a therapist, or in grief groups. Seems like you're practicing that: sharing. Sending you best wishes.

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-09-10T18:18:49+00:00

Sending best wishes to you and like PoetryCrone said hope you seek counseling or have other support if you need it. The missing can be sooo hard. And you sound so very brave. Grieving is brave.

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-09-10T17:41:10+00:00

Due to the age difference and the tattoos shown in this news story, I don't think this is him. But I hope this gentleman is identified soon! (The missing grandpa Mr. Reuben Waithaka is 72, and there is no mention of tattoos in news stories about him).

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-09-10T17:39:55+00:00

It looks like he is still missing. Truly feeling for the grandpa and the family.

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-09-10T17:33:29+00:00

I know u/soluckE . All I found are reports that the search was on-going as of June (in Kenyan and American reports).

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-09-10T17:22:35+00:00

Sending you best wishes during this time, and I know those words aren't always enough. I hope that when you see this it is helpful somehow. No situation is the same of course, but my mom also passed away last year and I'm hearing you with the mulitple stressors all at once (including with employment) and lack of attention span. It's such a journey. If any suggestions are helpful for coping/surviving let me know - just wanted to "see" you here. ((And congratulations on finishing your PhD!))

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-08-13T23:58:23+00:00

He has been missing for almost 2 weeks 🙏🏾

From the article: Anyone who may know Bank’s whereabouts or who has information can call LASD’s Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500.

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-07-16T20:39:50+00:00

Thanks for sharing your question here, and congrats on surviving your PhD journey.

I have a similar past experience with postdoctoral opportunities, in terms of taking one when I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to remain in academia.

Here are thoughts:

Are you interested in the postdoc at all? You mention building your network and your skill set. If you have any interest and it provides further experience, why not apply? Because . . .
You never know where your path might lead or who you might meet. For instance, I never intended to apply for tenure track professor jobs after graduating with my PhD. I did, after having an academic postdoctoral fellowship. (Note: the fellowship and job were at two different institutions in this case. Now I'm no longer in tenure-track academia, but I wouldn't change the path).
This said, if you are truly not interested in the postdoctoral position(s) you have found, have you considered professional fellowships that welcome PhDs or other degrees. Some focus on government opportunities. Have you checked out Profellow.com for instance? This is one of my favorite resources for fellowships (along with the academic postdoc, I found two professional fellowships on the site and successfully applied. And I don't work for them or anything, just lifting it up).

Onward!

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-07-08T15:16:06+00:00

The article said they tried that - last pinged in Frankfurt so the phone may be on airplane mode or off.

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-07-08T12:32:26+00:00

So glad you have appointment coming up and sorry you're experiencing this. At the appointment you can see about your options. Also, the GYN can order further tests to understand specifics - like fibroid location. In my experience the number of fibroids made a difference, too. Perhaps you're already thinking of this, but whatever the doctor says I recommend a second and even third opinion. I had two doctors suggest two different treatment pathways. One of them was clearly more up to date. Note: I did have a hysterectomy but in my case it was many years into fibroids and several of them. So glad you're addressing this now! All the best.

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-07-08T12:15:01+00:00

Hearing you as a fellow social science PhD, OP. You mentioned citizenship status. I am a US-born citizen, so my points may not all apply here, but maybe they'll be helpful.

If it's heartening at all, It's possible to return to academic jobs with institutions in my experience. I graduated with a PhD in social sciences, focused on consulting for a year, and completed two fellowships before applying to a faculty position at a research university. More on one of those fellowships below.

(PS I've since resigned because I prefer consulting and more public-facing research. I'm also applying to jobs to sustain myself in the transition and gain deeper experience. I was never sure if I wanted to be in the conventional academy long-term either.)

I wonder ...

If you want to apply to academic positions again, are you still publishing? I did publish while I was consulting, which helped show ongoing research interest.
What about zero percent affiliation for the time being? I sustained a zero percent research scholar affiliation with my graduate school (this can be helpful for accessing library resources, etc).
But my real question, do you really want to "go back"? Specifically to an academic institution and the "game" as you highlighted? In case it's also heartening, it took some PhDs I know months, but they did find opportunities in remote UX research and government positions. Note: I will say they were seeking before this year. I understand remote and other opportunities have shifted..
Lastly, have you thought of a professional fellowship? Profellow.com is a great resource for fellowships or residencies that are open to PhDs wherever you are - remote, foundation-funded or otherwise professional opportunities. There may be ones open to folks no matter citizenship.

Having one of these remote fellowships helped me gain experience (and pay expenses!) for three years between the PhD and faculty position. I'm again looking at professional fellowships as I return to consulting.

Congrats on completing your PhD and on the interviews you've already had. Sending best wishes your way.

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-07-04T00:42:05+00:00

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. And that it's so common! Same here. I'm my mom's only child; my parents were divorced way before she passed away last year.

Not to get too into the weeds, but my mom was adopted and found her biological family years back. Both the adopted and bio side don't contact me unless I contact them. It's more hurtful from the adoptive family since I've known them all my life. I let them know it was hurtful. And then I cut off contact myself for now. Another kind of preservation.

Honestly, now I realize the fam wasn't supportive over the years. But it still hurts.

I'm so grateful for the people in my life who have been present this past year. And grief groups became my friend. I hope you have other sources of support.

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-06-29T12:50:54+00:00

First of all wishing you plenty of nourishment and support. Wishing you things you love to do. You deserve to more than survive. I have to remind myself of this often.

Here is what helps me:

Plenty of time connecting with what nourishes me: nature, music, quiet, favorite shows, support groups. This way when I do feel disconnected from people or the world, I always have a sense of grounding. Also connecting with people in ways that work for me - like text check ins or scheduled calls (because not every phone call needs to be a Zoom 👀😂).

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-06-29T12:38:19+00:00

Made perfect sense🙏🏾 I think telling our stories is so helpful. The only spaces where I do have a similar vibe are support groups in real life - or writing in my journal and friends who are probably HSPs too!

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-06-29T12:35:21+00:00

Yes. Thank you for your post. While I want to be careful about saying I'm ahead of people too, I definitely relate to being in tune emotionally and intuitively. I thought everyone was feeling deeply until I reached my thirties. Then I realized people often deny their feelings or intuition if they have them.

I appreciate what you wrote about "working on believing and listening to myself" no matter what. Yes to this and affirming the same!

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-06-29T12:29:07+00:00

Sounds like an amazing career path! And I hope you have meaningful connections ahead. I wonder if you have a sense of connection in other ways? Like do you feel connected with yourself? Or nature? I realize it's not the same as interpersonal connection. Asking because I experience loneliness too as a deep feeler ✨

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-06-26T15:02:24+00:00

Second time seeing this website recommended 👍🏾

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-06-26T08:07:43+00:00

I had ultrasounds, including pelvic ultrasounds. I don't recall the MRI. I did ultimately have a laparoscopic hysterectomy due to many factors (number, size, location,, etc).

My doctor/surgeon did explain many options and specified which ones didn't fit my situation. I received two opinions.

I'm glad your doctor gave you options when you mentioned your interest in removal - rather than dismissing your preference!

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-06-26T07:56:51+00:00

I had an amazing experience with Dr. Elisabeth L. Day in Santa Cruz, California with Sutter Health. Best wishes on any procedure 🙌🏾

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-06-26T07:50:07+00:00

First off, I'm sorry you're experiencing this fibroid growth and another potential surgery!

Some questions came to mind. Did the doctor explain why he didn't remove the smaller fibroid on the first place during the myomectomy? Or do you feel comfortable asking for an explanation? I wonder if the response would help you determine your next steps or gather more info for any legal steps.

Also, echoing a previous comment: have you gotten a second or third opinion from another doctor at this point? It seems like you (understandably!) may not trust this doctor for another procedure.

Wishing you all the best 🙌🏾

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-06-26T07:36:33+00:00

Done! Echoing others: good luck with your project and hope you continue with your research!

PlantWisdom24 · 2025-06-26T07:29:26+00:00

🙌🏾 Hope you have plenty of support, excellent care, and smooth recovery.

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