Taking the Leap: Quitting the Nine-to-Five Job

It’s a question that so many of us are grappling with. Should I quit the corporate life that may not feel quite right for me, and pursue my passion project?

You may have worries about the financial risks, stability, and what your future looks like with less of a roadmap. Today we’ll help you think through the possibilities and trade-offs, as we learn from one woman’s experiences leaving corporate life to build her own business.

This episode is from New Here, a new podcast for young professionals from Harvard Business Review. Each week, host Elainy Mata shares stories, tips, and advice from trusted experts and the people who help her figure out career challenges—like her therapist and mentors. Season One focuses on those “big firsts” that happen in any new job—like your first big mistake or how to ask for a raise.

In this episode, we follow Jemma Sbeg as she leaves her successful consulting career to pursue her passion project—her now-hit podcast, The Psychology of your 20s. First we hear from Jemma on her first day of working for herself—to learn how she made the decision to leave her full-time job and what her hopes and fears are for her new work life. Then Jemma returns for a second conversation, after she’s been working on her own for five months.

You’ll learn which of Jemma’s fears were warranted, how she battled loneliness, managed her money, and whether or not she is actually happier working for herself.

You can listen to all of season one of New Here at https://hbr.org/podcasts/new-here or wherever you get your podcasts.