Personality Psychology Podcast #56 Leaving academia with Kate Rogers, Amy Summerville, and Tal Yarkoni
Aug 10, 2025
Join Tal Yarkoni, a former academic now diving into secret tech projects, Amy Summerville, a social psychologist turned small business owner, and Kate Rogers, a leader in behavioral science at Zillow, as they share their journeys leaving academia. They discuss the emotional and practical challenges of transitioning careers, the impact of significant global events, and the importance of networking. With personal anecdotes, they highlight how former academics can apply their skills in industry and the intersection of behavioral science and technology.
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Use Your Network Over Cold Applications
- Tal Yarkoni stresses that networking accelerates job access far more than cold applications.
- He still recommends applying widely but prioritizing contacts to get noticed.
Muted Department Reaction
- Tal Yarkoni found little departmental backlash because he was soft-money and arranged grant coverage.
- He treated his move as a low-risk leave with a postdoc keeping the lab running.
Leaving Tenure Strained Ties
- Amy Summerville found leaving tenure emotionally hard and felt responsible for her grad students.
- She worked to rehome students and ultimately saw them complete their PhDs.