Outgrown academia? Find a career that grows with you.
The After Academia Incubator is the program for PhDs who want more than titles and tenure.
Free yourself from academia so you can thrive, personally and professionally.
The ivory tower is crumbling, and you’re trapped inside.
You’ve given everything to academia - your relationships, your health, your money, and your most precious resource: your time.
In return, you were promised unparalleled freedom and career stability.
The reality is much different.
Today, you’re feeling insecure, unappreciated, and exhausted, emotionally and physically.
Higher education is changing, and you know this career is unsustainable. There’s just one problem:
Leaving academia is really hard.
Why does “finding a job” feel impossible?
You were taught that “smart” people can “figure it out” on their own. But when it comes to leaving academia, this DIY approach has you feeling…
…confused by endless (and outdated) “free” Internet advice, with no idea what actually works in 2025.
…frustrated after submitting dozens of resumes, only to face rejection after rejection (do recruiters even care about your PhD?)
…overwhelmed by imposter syndrome, convinced that you’re overqualified, underqualified, or (even worse) a failure.
…isolated and ashamed to admit that you’re struggling, fearing no one else understands what you’re going through.
Here’s what no one tells you:
Leaving academia isn’t an ordinary job search - it’s a complete identity overhaul.
You can’t do this alone. And now, you don’t have to.
The After Academia Incubator is the program for PhDs who are ready to thrive.
No more frustrating trial-and-error, aimless Internet searches, and “free” advice that gets you nowhere.
The Incubator gives you a clear, step-by-step path to the career (and life) you deserve:
A structured (yet flexible) program, tailored to you
Access 2.5 hours of self-paced video lessons and 12 exercises designed to transform your career (without wasting your time).
A community that “gets it”, even if you’re an introvert
Join 130+ PhD students, postdocs, professors, and former academics from every field and around the world. You’re not alone anymore.
A mentor for when you (inevitably) get stuck
Never question whether you’re “doing this right” - get personalized support and feedback on everything, from resumes to overcoming imposter syndrome.
Goodbye Burnout. Hello Balance.
Join the only program designed to help you GROW, personally and professionally.
PART 1
Ground yourself.
The most important step that every PhD skips.
Discover what jobs you’re actually qualified to do with your PhD and why you need to say “no” to most of them.
PART 2
Reorient your career.
Welcome to the other side! The grass is actually greener here (who knew?)
Learn how (and why) hiring happens in industry. Then, translate your academic achievements into language that recruiters actually understand.
PART 3
Optimize your applications.
How do you stand out in the competitive 2025 job market?
You’ll create an unforgettable resume and LinkedIn profile. Plus, learn strategies that PhDs use to land jobs in weeks, not years.
PART 4
Win back your life.
Your career is the ultimate research project.
Learn how to thrive in your first job and grow your career for years to come. No more endless cycles of burnout and overwork!
Created for your analytical brain, by an analytical brain
I left academia because I wanted more - more impact, more support, and more time for what really matters.
Since then, I’ve landed 4 different industry roles, including at Meta (twice).
And I did it without applying to 100s of jobs online or removing “PhD” from my resume. How?
Hours of research and many (many) mistakes.
I created the Incubator to give you everything I needed (but didn’t have) in my first job search. You don’t have to struggle alone like I did.
It’s time to leave the ivory tower and find a career that aligns with your life.
“Show me the data”
You’re skeptical - it’s how you were trained.
If you’re investing in a program, you need proof, not promises:
Tim Mahoney, PhD
Dean of Students and Academics, Winston Preparatory School
Nathalie Franco, PhD
Learning and Development Lead, onehome
Andrea Yuly-Youngblood, PhD
Senior Researcher, Discovery Education
Laura Hazlett, PhD
Senior Behavioral Scientist, Ochsner Health
Jen Feltner, PhD
Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Sam Freis, PhD
Experience Strategy Analyst, Gogo Business Aviation
Sara Izadi-Najafabadi, PhD
UX Researcher, Microsoft
Christian Morales, PhD
Public Health Researcher, AIR
Leave the Tower. Live Empowered.
Free yourself from academia so you can thrive, personally and professionally.
The December 2024 cohort opens on Monday, December 2.
$300 launch discount applied
(ends September 4)
Enter your email address to be notified when spots open.
2.5 hours of video lessons
A step-by-step guide to confidently navigate your next chapter.
12 guided exercises
Discover your ideal career, write a standout resume, excel at interviews, and more.
Community of 130+ PhDs
Get support, feedback, and advice throughout your journey.
50+ Q&A insights
Find answers to your most common job-searching questions.
Weekly office hours with Ashley
Get real-time guidance, ask questions, and receive personalized advice.
Curated job board
Stay updated with the latest, hand-picked job postings for PhDs.
Complete resume writing system
Create tailored, industry resumes that highlight your unique expertise.
Lifetime Access and Updates
BONUS: 25% off personalized consulting
Including in-depth resume reviews, LinkedIn feedback, and 1:1 meetings.
BONUS: The Art of Leaving Program
Reimagine your identity with this 9-week program from The Professor Is In.
$600 launch discount applied
(ends September 4)
Enter your email address to be notified when spots open.
Everything in GROW, plus:
3x 1:1 meetings with Ashley
Strategy sessions tailored to your goals.
Direct messaging access to Ashley
Get support and answers to all your questions.
Feedback on your LinkedIn, Resumes, and Portfolios
Stand out with in-depth reviews of all your materials.
Tap in to Ashley’s network of 60k+ professionals
Get personalized introductions to fast-track your job search.
BONUS: 1:1 interview preparation session with Ashley
Nail your interviews with personalized coaching.
3 spots open for November
Have questions? Feel free to email me at hello@ashleyruba.com
Is the After Academia Incubator right for you?
The Incubator isn’t the right fit for every PhD. Here’s how you know if you’re ready to GROW:
You’re a PhD student, post-doc, adjunct, or professor who has decided to leave academia.
You understand that this program is a tool, and you’ll need to use it to get results.
You’re motivated, hard-working, resilient, and receptive to feedback.
You’ve accepted that changing careers can be a slow and difficult process.
You know there will be challenges ahead, and you’re ready to face them.
You’re not willing to do the hard work required to change careers.
You’re not ready to embrace change and step outside your comfort zone.
You don’t have the time (or energy) to devote to this major life change.
You believe that people without PhDs are intellectually beneath you.
You want training for a specific career path (e.g., UX Research).
FAQs
The program has successfully helped graduate students, post-docs, and professors land their first non-academic jobs. The program has also helped PhDs land their second non-academic jobs. The program includes PhDs from every career field, although most students have a degree in the social sciences, life sciences, education, or humanities. Most students are American citizens searching for non-academic jobs in the United States, but successful students also include PhDs in Canada and Europe as well as international students. Non-PhD holding academics are also able to join the program on a case-by-case basis.
Some PhDs figure out how to leave academia on their own. But many other PhDs struggle in their career change. If you are receiving rejections from your non-academic job applications OR if you have decided to leave academia and have no idea where to start, then you will benefit from this program. The program provides all the tools that you’ll need to grow your career (and life) outside of the ivory tower.
If you decide to go it alone, make sure that you are following best job search practices. There is so much bad advice and misinformation on the internet. Too many PhDs waste months unsuccessfully applying to jobs before deciding to join the program. Investing in your career change today will save you dozens of hours and thousands in lost potential wages.
The amount of personalized feedback depends on how you choose to join the program. Students in the GROW Plan can receive personalized feedback from the community or from Ashley in office hours. If you want more feedback, you can add 1:1 meetings and/or LinkedIn/resume reviews at a discounted rate.
Students in the GROW VIP Plan will receive 3 1:1 meetings with Ashley that they can use as needed. As you complete the curriculum, Ashley is available to answer questions asynchronously via text, voice message, or Loom video, with a guaranteed 48-hour response time (Monday through Friday). You will also get personalized feedback on all your job search materials, including LinkedIn profiles, portfolios, and resumes.
All students can also questions in the After Academia community anytime, even after the 6 month program ends.
There are two ways to join the Incubator, depending on your budget and learning style:
- GROW ($175/month): You’re confident that you can learn about the job search process and apply your knowledge correctly without much assistance. You’re comfortable building a network on your own. This is for PhDs who just need someone to show them what to do, and they’ll do it!
- GROW VIP ($400/month): You want to change careers as quickly as possible. You want a mentor by your side every step of the way, holding you accountable, giving you feedback, and helping you build your network. You don’t want to second guess whether you’re applying your knowledge correctly. You want to do this right, the first time.
Due to demand, a limited number of GROW VIP spots are available each month.
The program is 6 months in length to allow flexibility in scheduling (life happens!). The core curriculum is self-paced and can be completed within a few hours per week. After you finish the program, you will have lifetime access to the After Academia community, all of the resources, and any program updates. You can also extend your time in the program on a month-by-month basis to receive more support from Ashley.
The program takes place entirely on Circle. This is where you will interact the community in discussion boards, direct messages, and video calls. All of the resources are hosted there.
By the end of the 6-month program, you will have all the tools needed to succeed in a career outside of academia. You will have explored and identified a non-academic career path, made a detailed plan for your job search, created a LinkedIn profile and resume, started building your network, and practiced interviewing. You should expect to feel more confident about all aspects of the job search process.
While a job offer is not guaranteed by the end of the program, many students have received interviews and job offers within 6 months. Others have received interviews and job offers shortly after the program ends. The time it takes you to find a non-academic job depends on many factors, including your target career/industry, your current skills/experience, and the amount of time/effort you devote to your job search. During the first week of the program, you will review these factors and develop a personalized career plan tailored to your goals.
The program is guaranteed to give you all the tools, resources, and support you need to receive a non-academic job offer. But, your career is in your own hands. You will need to build your network, apply for jobs, and pass your interviews. Successful students understand that they have to do the work to transplant their careers. You will find a non-academic job if you put in the effort and adopt a growth mindset. The program will help you every step of the way.
After 6 months, you will have lifetime access to the materials and the community. If you want more personalized support from Ashley, you can extend your time in the program on a week-by-week basis or schedule 1:1 coaching sessions as needed.