Leaving Academia on Your Own Terms: A PhD Journey with Dr. Ashley Ruba

Leaving Academia on Your Own Terms: A PhD Journey with Dr. Ashley Ruba

What happens when you’re wildly successful in academia—but realize you want something else? In this episode of ConnectED, we’re joined by Dr. Ashley Ruba, a developmental psychologist turned UX researcher, coach, entrepreneur, and founder of After Academia. From studying infant emotion perception at the University of Washington to building a career and brand that empowers others to leave academia, Ashley shares an honest and deeply reflective look at identity, transitions, and choosing yourself. We talk about: ➤ Her winding academic journey as a first-generation college student ➤ Studying thousands of babies (literally!) and managing research solo ➤ Creating work-life boundaries during grad school—and sticking to them ➤ Her transition into UX research and what’s changed in the field ➤ What no one tells you about grief, ego, and letting go of the “professor path” Ashley also shares the emotional realities of career pivots, the importance of community, and how clarity often follows action—not the other way around. Resources Mentioned: ➤ Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab [https://www.nedratawwab.com/set-boundaries-find-peace] ➤ The Good Enough Job by Simone Stolzoff [https://www.simonestolzoff.com/] ➤ Transitions by William Bridges [https://www.amazon.com/Transitions-Making-Changes-Revised-Anniversary/dp/073820904X] ➤ The Professor Is In by Karen Kelsky [https://theprofessorisin.com/] Connect with Dr. Ashley Ruba: ➤ Website: ashleyruba.com [https://www.ashleyruba.com] ➤ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyruba-phd/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyruba-phd/] ➤ After Academia: afteracademia.com (coming soon or redirect from her main site) [https://www.linkedin.com/company/afteracademia/] Follow Me for More: ➤ Instagram: @connected.phd [https://www.instagram.com/connected.phd] ➤ LinkedIn: Haille Trimboli [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailletrimboli] ➤ YouTube: @theconnectednetwork [https://www.youtube.com/@theconnectednetwork] ➤ Spotify: ConnectED Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/4dAIZCE...] Share it, tag a fellow PhD, and leave a review. Every listen helps build a world where your PhD journey is valid—wherever it leads. #PhDJourney #AfterAcademia #UXResearch #PhDToIndustry #GradSchoolLife #WomenInSTEM #FirstGenPhD #ConnectEDPod #WorkLifeBoundaries #AcademicTransition #HigherEdExit #AshleyRuba

More Than Perks: Dr. Patricia Grabarek on What Really Drives Workplace Wellness

What makes a workplace truly well? It’s not yoga classes and kombucha on tap, it's leadership, culture, and thoughtful design.  In this episode of ConnectED, we sit down with Dr. Patricia Grabarek, an I/O psychologist, author of Leading for Wellness, and co-founder of Workr Beeing. From researching personality typologies at Penn State to advising global organizations, Patricia shares how her PhD journey helped her build a career centered on making work better—for everyone. We discuss:  ➤ How she found her way to I/O Psychology after studying stress in health contexts  ➤ What to look for (beyond rankings) when choosing a PhD program  ➤ Her dissertation on personality types and performance in emotional labor roles ➤ What it's really like to write a dissertation while working full-time ➤ Strategies for staying connected to academia while thriving in industry Patricia also offers real-talk advice on writing, advisor dynamics, identity shifts, and how to communicate research in ways that actually make an impact. Resources Mentioned: ➤ Leading for Wellness by Patricia Grabarek and Katina Sawyer [https://workrbeeing.com/book/] ➤ PhD Comics – A lifesaving laugh for every stressed-out scholar [https://phdcomics.com/] ➤ Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) Annual Conference [https://www.siop.org/post/topic/2024-annual-conference/] ➤ APA Journal Access (for staying connected to research in practice) [https://www.apa.org/search?query=journal] Connect with Dr. Patricia Grabarek: ➤ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciagrabarek [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciagrabarek] ➤ Website: https://workrbeeing.com/book/ [https://workrbeeing.com/book/] ➤ Podcast: Workr Beeing on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen [https://workrbeeing.com/podcast/] Follow Me for More: ➤ Instagram: @connected.phd [https://www.instagram.com/connected.phd] ➤ LinkedIn: Haille Trimboli [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailletrimboli] ➤ YouTube: @theconnectednetwork [https://www.youtube.com/@theconnectednetwork] ➤ Spotify: ConnectED Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/4dAIZCEwv8Cs3o3vPwegNe] ❤️ Love this episode? Share it with a fellow PhD, tag a friend who needs a dose of workplace inspiration, and leave a review! We’re here to normalize the messy middle, celebrate the journey, and stay ConnectED. #PhDJourney #IOLife #WorkplaceWellness #LeadershipDevelopment #PhDToIndustry #WomenInPsychology #ConnectEDPod #WellbeingAtWork #AcademicToIndustry #LeadingForWellness

PhD in the Field: Dr. David Carnegie’s Journey from Offshore Platforms to Global Strategy

What kind of leadership does it take to thrive in extreme environments? And how can research on offshore oil rigs translate into boardrooms and trading floors? In this episode of ConnectED, we sit down with Dr. David Carnegie, a leadership and talent strategist with decades of experience advising C-suite teams across global banks, asset managers, and high-growth companies. His journey began offshore—in the literal sense—as an HR leader in the oil and gas industry, where he became fascinated by the leadership dynamics on remote production platforms. That curiosity led to a PhD at Aberdeen Business School, where David explored the impact of first-line supervisors in high-risk, high-pressure environments. Since then, he’s built a career at the intersection of research and industry, bringing academic rigor to some of the world’s most complex organizations. We discuss: ➤ What sparked David’s interest in offshore leadership and led him to pursue a PhD ➤ The experience of researching on oil rigs (including 43 days offshore!) ➤ How his findings surprised senior leaders—and why context matters more than you think ➤ Practical tips for writing, networking, and staying motivated in a solo research journey ➤ How to bring academic rigor into fast-paced commercial environments David also shares candid insights about life post-PhD, why he didn’t pursue a tenure-track path, and how graduates can translate their research skills into real business impact. Resources Mentioned: ➤ The Competent Manager by Richard Boyatzis (1982) [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247813294_The_Competent_Manager_A_Model_For_Effective_Performance] ➤ David’s newsletter: The Super Supervisor [https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-super-supervisor-7340097863017730051/] Connect with Dr. David Carnegie: ➤ LinkedIn: David Carnegie, PhD [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-carnegie-phd/] Follow Me for More: ➤ Instagram: @connected.phd [https://www.instagram.com/connected.phd] ➤ LinkedIn: Haille Trimboli [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailletrimboli] ➤ YouTube: @theconnectednetwork [https://www.youtube.com/@theconnectednetwork] ➤ Spotify: ConnectED Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/4dAIZCE...] Love this episode? Share it with someone exploring academia, leadership, or life beyond the PhD. Tag a fellow researcher, leave a review, and help grow this community of curious minds and change-makers. #PhDJourney #LeadershipResearch #RemoteWork #OilAndGas #HumanFactors #ConnectEDPod #AcademicToIndustry #FirstLineLeadership #WorkplaceLearning #HigherEd #GlobalLeadership #PhDLife

Dr. Lawrence Carter on the Power of Purpose, Planning, and Perseverance

In this episode of ConnectED, we meet Dr. Lawrence Carter, a powerhouse educator, union leader, and systems thinker who recently earned his EdD in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. From lifeguard and PE teacher to instructional leader and board representative, Lawrence takes us on a journey marked by grit, strategy, and purpose-driven education. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating a doctoral program while juggling full-time work, life, and big dreams. We cover: ➤ Why Lawrence chose the EdD—and how it differs from a PhD in theory and practice ➤ The critical importance of choosing a program that fits your life and your goals ➤ The mindset shift: viewing your dissertation as a living body of work ➤ Emotional regulation, culturally responsive teaching, and his 318-page research study ➤ Tips for time management, focus, and surviving seven years with four chairs and three methodologists ➤ How he uses systems thinking—from coaching to union leadership—to create equity and impact Dr. Carter shares actionable wisdom for doctoral students and professionals alike—reminding us that the journey is not just about a title, but about becoming someone capable of creating real change in our communities. Resources Mentioned:  ➤ Being Bright Is Not Enough: The Unwritten Rules of Doctoral Study by Peggy Hawley [https://www.mys1cloud.com/cct/ebooks/9780398074395.pdf] Connect with Dr. Lawrence Carter: ➤ LinkedIn: Dr. Lawrence Carter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-carter/] ➤ Email: lctke1078@gmail.com Follow Me for More: ➤ Instagram: connected.phd [https://www.instagram.com/connected.phd/] ➤ LinkedIn: Haille Trimboli Ph.D. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/haille-trimboli/] ➤ YouTube: TheConnectEDNetwork [https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectEDNetwork] ➤ Spotify: ConnectED Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/4dAIZCEwv8Cs3o3vPwegNe] Love this episode? Drop a review, tag a friend in the dissertation grind, or share with a future doctoral student who needs a dose of motivation and strategy. #EdDJourney #PhDvsEdD #DoctoralLife #DissertationTips #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #LeadershipInEducation #EducationalEquity #DoctoralWisdom #ConnectEDPodcast #AcademicSuccess

Global Grit: Dr. Sophia Diop on Leading with Purpose Across Borders

When Dr. Sophia Diop was just five years old, she asked her mom a simple question:  "What’s the highest level of school?" Her mom said, "A doctorate." Sophia replied, “Okay, I'll go all the way to the top.” And she did. In this week’s episode of ConnectED, we dive into the incredible, multifaceted journey of Dr. Diop—chef, entrepreneur, IT professional, and global thinker—who recently completed her PhD in Global Leadership and Change at Pepperdine University. In this episode, she shares: ➤ How her background in acting, culinary arts, and consulting shaped her leadership lens ➤ Why athletes as peacebuilders inspired her dissertation, and the SMD model she developed ➤ How she balances a tech career, entrepreneurship, and research—without losing focus ➤ Why she believes the PhD is less about a title and more about personal meaning ➤ Her advice: “Don’t think too much. Don’t listen to people. Look within—and just go.” This one’s for anyone who’s ever wondered if they’re “too all over the place” for a PhD. Sophia proves that your multidimensional self is the strength—not the barrier. Resources Mentioned:➤ Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl [https://www.shortform.com/summary/mans-search-for-meaning-vb13747-h-summary-viktor-frankl?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&msclkid=4cd22fd22b601142dda4478501395cd1]➤ Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman [https://positiveimpact.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/daniel-goleman-emotional-intelligence.pdf]➤ The Clash of Civilizations by Samuel P. Huntington [https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/1993-06-01/clash-civilizations] Connect with Dr. Sophia Diop➤ LinkedIn - Sophia D, MBA [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsophia22/] Stay Connected with Me: ➤ Instagram: @connected.phd [https://www.instagram.com/connected.phd/] ➤ LinkedIn: Haille Trimboli, Ph.D. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/haille-trimboli/] ➤ YouTube: @TheConnectEDNetwork [https://www.youtube.com/@TheConnectEDNetwork] ➤ Spotify: ConnectED [https://open.spotify.com/show/4dAIZCEwv8Cs3o3vPwegNe] Love this episode? Drop a review, tag a PhD friend, or share your favorite quote with us. This podcast was made for the curious, the driven, and the globally minded—just like you. Tune in now on YouTube or Spotify. #PhDWithPurpose #GlobalLeadership #WomenInDiplomacy #AthleteLeadership #Peacebuilding #DoctoralJourney #PhDLife #LeadershipDevelopment #ConnectEDPodcast #MultidisciplinaryScholar #EmotionalIntelligence #PersonalGrowth #GlobalThinker