Are you considering a switch in your career direction? Do you wonder what other careers might be suited for your education and experience? This week's podcast is with Susan Basalla, Ph.D., co-author of So What are you going to do with that?. This book was written out of her own journey questioning what to do with a Ph.D. in English from Princeton University. Having decided not to pursue an academic career, she asked the question, "So what am I supposed to do now?"

Due to a change in your employment situation, or through recognizing that you need a change in the direction of your career, you may be asking the same question. The good news is that every year approximately 10% of professionals switch careers or sectors. Don't underestimate the economy and your ability to move in an entirely different direction. As Susan said, "Strong, independent thinkers can't help but carving out interesting careers."

This week, take our free 15 Minute Career Test. It is designed to help you discover your strengths.

This slim volume offers a guide to graduate students and scholars looking to leave academia. It gives concrete steps for deciding whether to leave, reassessing your skills for jobs in the "real world," looking for new opportunities, turning your CV into a resume, and doing well on the job interview. Best of all, it has plenty of examples of people who have left academia and the different types of work that they are doing now. These stories should give you plenty of inspiration for finding your own path outside the academy. My only wish is that they would expand the book to offer more first-person stories and sample resumes, but there's only so much you can pack in 150 pages.