Leaving the ivory tower doesn’t mean leaving behind a love for knowledge. In fact, many who transition out of academia feel compelled to write their own books—sharing insights, personal journeys, or practical guides to help others navigate the path beyond the PhD.
Below is a curated list of books written by guests or mentioned during interviews on the After Your PhD YouTube channel or on the podcast (which can be found on Spotify or Substack).
Whether you’re exploring industry roles or simply looking for support through the transition, there’s likely something here for you from books written by guests or mentioned.
Books Written or Mentioned by After Your PhD Guests
Guest: Dr. Pinay Kainth
Book Title: How to Make a Successful Transition From Academia To Industry
Dr. Kainth joined me to share his journey out of academia and into the industry, and his book serves as a step-by-step guide for others looking to do the same. Listen to the episode or grab the book for actionable advice.
Guest: Dr. Edelstein
Dr. Edelstein brought her expertise as a psychologist and author to the conversation, with several valuable works:
- Book Title: What Do I Say?: The Therapist’s Guide to Answering Client Questions
- Book Title: Writer’s Guide to Character Traits
- Check out her full author page on Amazon to explore more of her work.
Guest: Dr. Matteo Tardelli
In our first talk on the YouTube channel a few years ago Tardelli shared about “Beyond Academia,” but he also wrote another book more recently!
- Book Title: Beyond Academia: Stories and Strategies for PhDs Making the Leap to Industry
- Book Title: The Salmon Leap for PhDs: Swimming Upstream
Guest: Dr. Caroline Malloy
Briefly mentioned in her bio and during our talk.
Book title: The Art of Academic Editing: A Guide for Authors and Editors
Guest: Simangele Mabena
Simangele shared her story of finding purpose outside the academic path, and she highlighted two key books during our interview.
Book Title: “So What Are You Going to Do with That?”: Finding Careers Outside Academia
Book Title: Hustles for Humanists: Build a Business with Purpose
Guest: Dr. David Keyes
For those curious about data skills but intimidated by the stats, this book is a welcoming entry point.
Book Title: R for the Rest of Us: A Statistics-Free Introduction
Honorable Mention – Leaving Academia: A Practical Guide
While not a guest, I often recommend Leaving Academia, a Practical Guide by Dr. Christopher L. Caterin. It was one of the first books I read that opened my eyes to the possibility of careers outside of academia in a very straight-forward manner including tips on improving resumes and the power of informational interviews.
Note: Books found on Amazon include affiliate links. Affiliate links financial support After Your PhD LLC and most likely the authors.
Ryan Collins PhD is an SEO Strategist at Go Fish Digital. Ryan completed his PhD in Media Arts and Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington in 2021. During his time at Indiana University, Ryan eventually pivoted into a career in SEO and Digital Marketing after having informational interviews with working professionals in SEO, working on side projects, and gaining industry experience.