Jacob Kendall was trained as an academic and was on the tenure track, when a lot changed. He underwent a second heart surgery, started a couple of businesses, left his job, got married, his father got very sick (and eventually died), he moved twice, started another grad program, and had his first child. Needless to say, this is a lot of change in little time.

In this Beyond the Thesis interview, we’ll be talking about the lessons Jacob has learned along the way and about his reflections on being ready for expected as well as unexpected inflection points in our lives.

Here are five take-home messages from my conversation with Jacob:

• Pursue career paths that align with your passion, even if they deviate from traditional academic trajectories.

• Be proactive in planning for life events and transitions that may impact your personal and professional life, such as health issues or caregiving responsibilities.

• Embrace change and take risks for personal growth and making a positive impact.

• Seek advice and support from those who have gone through similar transitions, such as utilizing professional networks and platforms like LinkedIn.

• Remember that careers are not static destinations but a part of life’s journey, and it’s important to regularly reassess and make choices that align with personal fulfillment and well-being.

Don’t miss out on this great interview!