In light of the shit show of unprecedented proportions that is academia at the present moment, post-ac coach Kel Weinhold and I launched a 12 part series on leaving academia called, Twelve Steps To A New Job.

Kel Weinhold, career coach for The Professor Is In, works with postdocs and PhDs at every stage of their careers (including leaving the tenure track hustle), and if you’re interested in talking through your options with them, you can always reach out at postac@theprofessorisin.com.

Each week Dr. Karen Kelsky, founder of The Professor Is In and The Professor Is Out, who’s been helping academics both stay in and get out since 2011 and Kel offer 30 minutes of coaching advice on all aspects of the PhD journey.

Below is the synopsis of the webinar.

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12 Steps to a New Job: Step 11 — Reflection, Vision, and Alignment

For the last 11 weeks, we’ve been walking through our 12 Steps to Leaving a Toxic Job series. Loosely modeled on the 12-Step framework, this journey has helped us confront the addictive nature of academia, rewrite harmful narratives, and re-imagine healthier futures.

Today, we’re at Step 11. Almost there! One more to go.

And before we dive in: a programming note. After Step 12 next week, our weekly series will be shifting from Fridays to Thursdays. Mark your calendar and come hang out — we want to keep this space for support and conversation alive.

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The Original Step 11

In AA’s language, Step 11 is:
“Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, seeking only knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”

Needless to say… not a great fit for our purposes.

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Our Step 11 Rewrite

We’ve reframed it as:

“Sought through reflection and practice to maintain conscious connection with our values, envisioning the life we want, and aligning our daily choices with that vision.”

Instead of God, we focus on values. Instead of “His will,” we focus on your vision.

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Why This Step Matters for Academics

Many academics have spent years (even decades) chasing a vision of tenure. The problem? That vision often got tangled up with their values until they became indistinguishable.

When the system collapsed under you — budget cuts, defunding, toxicity, or just plain exploitation — your vision evaporated. And if you believed academia itself was a value, then losing it can feel like losing your whole moral compass.

Step 11 is about separating those things: vision vs. values.

• Academia isn’t inherently a value.
• Your values are still there: justice, creativity, care, freedom, community, learning.
• You can re-imagine new visions that are built on those values, outside of academia.

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Practices for Reflection and Alignment

Here are some tools to help you stay grounded in this step:

1. Journaling

Spend five minutes writing about progress and setbacks. Remember: setbacks are part of the process, not failures. What matters is that you keep getting back up.

2. Weekly Intentions

Set small, concrete goals aligned with your transition. Example:

• “This week I’ll reach out to one person on LinkedIn.”
• “I’ll apply for a job in a field I’ve never considered before.”
• “I’ll schedule an informational interview.”

3. Mindfulness Check-ins

Pause during the week and ask: “How am I feeling about this transition?”
Academia trained you in self-criticism, not self-reflection. This is a chance to relearn honesty with yourself.

4. Sponsor or Support System

In AA, you find a sponsor. In leaving academia, you need one too, whether it’s a coach, therapist, friend, or peer from our Professor Is Out community. Someone who can keep you honest when you’re tempted to slide back into old patterns of overwork, guilt, or perfectionism.

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Baby-Step Questions for Self-Reflection

If “big reflection” feels overwhelming, start small:

• Does this action move me toward or away from the life I want?
• Am I honoring the boundaries I set for myself?
• Have I slipped back into perfectionism, overwork, or people-pleasing?
• What am I proud of this week?
• Where do I need to reset expectations?

Even just answering one of these a week can help you reconnect with your values.

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Envisioning Your Future

Step 11 is not only about reflection; it’s also about vision.

• Visualize your ideal work environment. Do you want to lead or follow? Collaborate or work solo?
• Name your non-negotiables. Location? Hours? Remote vs. in-person?
• Name the feelings you want in your next role. Safety, respect, stability, creativity, joy.

It’s not about finding the “perfect” job. It’s about finding a role where your daily actions align with your deeper values.

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The Hardest Part

Here’s the truth: academics are not used to this.

• You’ve been told what to do since first grade.
• You’ve been trained to chase A+’s and external validation.
• You’ve been conditioned to ignore your body and your feelings.

So yes, reflection can feel unnerving — even disorienting. But it’s also the key to breaking free.

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Final Thought: Worthiness

The most radical part of this step is believing:
You are worthy. Right now. Without the PhD. Without the title. Without proving anything to anyone.

Reflection and alignment aren’t about hustling harder. They’re about reminding yourself you deserve a life that matches your values.

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Over to You

What are your values?
What small intention can you set this week to align your choices with your vision?
Who could be your “sponsor” as you navigate this transition?

We’d love to hear in the comments, because this process isn’t solitary.