Every two weeks, from Don Back

Field Notes

Observations from my work with PhDs building careers beyond academia. Ideas about identity, agency, employers, and what opens up when academic expertise becomes professional contribution.

One short email every two weeks. About three minutes to read. Free.

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What an issue looks like

  • One observation from my work: a coaching conversation, a question from a talk, a pattern I keep seeing.
  • What’s really going on underneath it, and the idea that explains it.
  • One question back to you. Replies come straight to me, and I read them.

Who it’s for

PhD students nearing the end of their degree, recent graduates and postdocs who are thinking about careers beyond academia. Partners, parents, supervisors and university staff are welcome too.

Past issues

Each issue appears here two weeks after it goes to subscribers.

  • Leaving Academia?

    I use the phrase “leaving academia” all the time. The more people I work with, the less straightforward it seems.

  • I am a PhD

    We don’t say, “I have a PhD.” We say, “I am a PhD.” I’ve been wondering how much that small distinction matters.