
E41 - Academia wasn't worth my life: Leaving academia, not-so-alternative careers and redefining success
From Moms, Mats and Manuscripts by Ksenia Volkova Tomaz
March 5, 2026 · 45 min · Episode 41
About this episode
Sónia Gomes Pereira discusses her decision to leave academia and redefine success after realizing the traditional academic path wasn't worth the cost.
In this episode of Moms, Mats, and Manuscripts, I’m joined by scientific writer and science communicator Sónia Gomes Pereira to talk about the moment she realised that the traditional academic path simply wasn’t worth the cost. Sónia shares her journey from a curious science-loving kid to a PhD in integrative biology and biomedicine, navigating a complex interdisciplinary PhD project, and eventually deciding to leave academia behind. Along the way, we talk about the hidden pressures of academ...
People in this episode
Host: Ksenia Volkova Tomaz
Guest: Sónia Gomes Pereira
Topics covered
- academia
- career change
- success
- science communication
- personal journey
Keywords
- academia
- PhD
- science writer
- career transition
- integrative biology
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Moms, Mats and Manuscripts
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