“Clarity often follows action. You don’t really know what you like until you try it.” — Ashley Ruba

In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Inga Timmerman and Neeka Miremadi talk with Ashley Ruba. After getting a PhD in developmental psychology, she left academia to pursue a career in user experience (UX) research and now works full time at Meta while running her own consulting business for those wanting to transition out of academia.

Ashley shares her candid journey from PhD student to postdoc to industry researcher, reflecting on the financial and personal opportunity costs of academia, including years of lost investing potential and unlivable stipends. She discusses the moment she realized she was “done” with academia, the toxicity she witnessed, and the freedom she has found in industry and entrepreneurship, both financially and personally.

The conversation dives deep into career transitions, financial realities, and risk tolerance, especially for academics debating whether to move to industry or start their own business. Ashley offers practical advice on pivoting intentionally, networking strategically, and managing the financial ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Her story highlights that leaving academia is not “giving up,” it is often a way to reclaim control, flexibility, and financial stability.

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Any product or financial recommendations provided by Academics and Their Money, Inga, or Neeka are made solely in the author’s opinion and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice. All content is for educational purposes only.