Academics in the wild

Exploring careers beyond academia

Join a thoughtful community of physicists and mathematicians navigating diverse career paths together.

Finding New Directions Together

For many academics who started on a traditional career path, considering alternatives can feel isolating and uncertain. Without access to relatable examples or a network of support, the journey can be daunting.

It’s common to struggle with translating academic skills into industry language, understanding what opportunities exist, or even figuring out where to start. This process can feel overwhelming without guidance.

Academics in the Wild is a space to connect with others who share similar experiences to build a network of peers and mentors through our on-line events and Slack community. Together, we explore possibilities and help each other find new directions.


1-1 coffee chats with randomly assigned matches

Meet others navigating similar career transitions and exchange advice.


Group events featuring discussions and panels

Gain fresh perspectives and learn from the experiences of others.


Stories, opportunities, and insights

Keep up-to-date on Substack and LinkedIn.

FAQ

What does joining mean?

↳ You'll get access to the Slack workspace, which is where the 1-1 coffee chats are organized. You'll also be able to attend member events like group video chats.

Who can join?

↳ Anyone who at least started a PhD in math or physics: PhD students, postdocs, professors, industry professionals, founders, creators, slackers…

If I’m a bachelors or masters student, can I join?

↳ We’re sorry, but typically, no. Our discussions focus on challenges faced by those who committed to an academic career by pursuing a PhD, but then realized their path might lead elsewhere. But you can still attend public events: keep an eye out on Luma!

If I withdrew (or am planning to withdraw) from my physics/math phd before graduating, can I join?

↳ Yes! In fact, we encourage it!

If I started/finished a PhD in a field other than Math or Physics, can I join?

↳ Sorry, but typically no. Our discussions focus on challenges faced by those with expertise in domains that don't have clear application outside of the academic setting.

Is it free?

↳ Yes!

Are you in?

If this sounds like something you're interested in, join below.

Thanks for applying!

If you're approved, you'll be added to the Slack soon.If you don't hear from us within a week:

  1. Double check the FAQ to make sure you meet the criteria.

  2. If you meet the criteria, send an email to Aggie to check on your application.

AITW Code of Conduct

Our Pledge

We as guests, members, and leaders pledge to make participation in our community a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, body size, visible or invisible disability, ethnicity, sex characteristics, gender identity and expression, level of experience, education, socio-economic status, nationality, personal appearance, race, caste, color, religion, or sexual identity and orientation.We pledge to act and interact in ways that contribute to an open, welcoming, diverse, inclusive, and healthy community.

Our Standards

Examples of behavior that contributes to a positive environment for our community include:

  • Demonstrating empathy and kindness toward other people

  • Being respectful of differing opinions, viewpoints, and experiences

  • Giving and gracefully accepting constructive feedback

  • Accepting responsibility and apologizing to those affected by our mistakes, and learning from the experience

  • Focusing on what is best not just for us as individuals, but for the overall community

Examples of unacceptable behavior include:

  • The use of sexualized language or imagery, and sexual attention or advances of any kind

  • Trolling, insulting or derogatory comments, and personal or political attacks

  • Public or private harassment

  • Publishing others’ private information, such as a physical or email address, without their explicit permission

  • Other conduct which could reasonably be considered inappropriate in a professional setting

Enforcement Responsibilities

Community leaders are responsible for clarifying and enforcing our standards of acceptable behavior and will take appropriate and fair corrective action in response to any behavior that they deem inappropriate, threatening, offensive, or harmful.Community leaders have the right and responsibility to remove, edit, or reject messages, comments, posts, and other contributions that are not aligned to this Code of Conduct, and will communicate reasons for moderation decisions when appropriate.

Scope

This Code of Conduct applies within all community spaces, and also applies when an individual is officially representing the community in public spaces. Examples of representing our community include using an official email address, posting via an official social media account, or acting as an appointed representative at an online or offline event.

Enforcement

Instances of abusive, harassing, or otherwise unacceptable behavior may be reported to the community leaders responsible for enforcement at [email protected]. All complaints will be reviewed and investigated promptly and fairly.All community leaders are obligated to respect the privacy and security of the reporter of any incident.

Enforcement Guidelines

Community leaders will follow these Community Impact Guidelines in determining the consequences for any action they deem in violation of this Code of Conduct:1. CORRECTIONCommunity Impact: Use of inappropriate language or other behavior deemed unprofessional or unwelcome in the community.Consequence: A private, written warning from community leaders, providing clarity around the nature of the violation and an explanation of why the behavior was inappropriate. A public apology may be requested.2. WARNINGCommunity Impact: A violation through a single incident or series of actions.Consequence: A warning with consequences for continued behavior. No interaction with the people involved, including unsolicited interaction with those enforcing the Code of Conduct, for a specified period of time. This includes avoiding interactions in community spaces as well as external channels like social media. Violating these terms may lead to a temporary or permanent ban.3. TEMPORARY BANCommunity Impact: A serious violation of community standards, including sustained inappropriate behavior.Consequence: A temporary ban from any sort of interaction or public communication with the community for a specified period of time. No public or private interaction with the people involved, including unsolicited interaction with those enforcing the Code of Conduct, is allowed during this period. Violating these terms may lead to a permanent ban.4. PERMANENT BANCommunity Impact: Demonstrating a pattern of violation of community standards, including sustained inappropriate behavior, harassment of an individual, or aggression toward or disparagement of classes of individuals.Consequence: A permanent ban from any sort of public interaction within the community.

Attribution

This Code of Conduct is adapted from the Contributor Covenant, version 2.1, available at https://www.contributor-covenant.org/version/2/1/codeofconduct.html.For answers to common questions about this code of conduct, see the FAQ at https://www.contributor-covenant.org/faq.