Jacob Kendall was trained as an academic and was on the tenure track, when a lot changed. He underwent a second heart surgery, started a couple of businesses, left his job, got married, his father got very sick (and eventually died), he moved twice, started another grad program, and had his first child. Needless to say, this is a lot of change in little time.In this Beyond the Thesis interview, we'll be talking about the lessons Jacob has learned along the way and about his reflections on being ready for expected as well as unexpected inflection points in our lives.Here are five take-home messages from my conversation with Jacob:Pursue career paths that align with your passion, even if they deviate from traditional academic trajectories.Be proactive in planning for life events and transitions that may impact your personal and professional life, such as health issues or caregiving responsibilities.Embrace change and take risks for personal growth and making a positive impact.Seek advice and support from those who have gone through similar transitions, such as utilizing professional networks and platforms like LinkedIn.Remember that careers are not static destinations but a part of life's journey, and it's important to regularly reassess and make choices that align with personal fulfillment and well-being.Don't miss out on this great interview! Thank you, Jacob Kendall! If you enjoyed this conversation with Jacob, let him know by clicking the link below and leaving him a message on LinkedIn:Send Jacob Kendall a thank you message on LinkedIn!Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David! This episode’s resources: The Wordsmith | Website Leave a review on Podchaser ! Support the show ! You might also like the following episodes: Kenna Barrett – Leveraging your Degree in the Fundraising Space100 K Listens Celebration – With Todd Cochrane, Ashley Ruba and Other FriendsStephanie Fuccio – Whe n Time Comes to Leave Your PhDKrishna Kadiyala – Navigating Manufacturing and Engineering as a WomanAs always, if you find value in Papa PhD and in the content I bring you every week, click on one of the buttons below and send some of that value back to me by becoming a supporter on Patreon or by buying me a coffee :) Support the show on Patreon ! Or buy me a coffee :)