New Books in Higher Education Considering Leaving Academia?
10 snips
Jun 30, 2025 Dr. Sophia Basaldua-Sun, the Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Penguin Random House, shares her transition from academia to publishing. She discusses how an informational interview changed her career trajectory. The conversation explores the challenges of job searching in the publishing industry and the importance of adaptability. Basaldua-Sun highlights the need for diversity in professional networks and the evolving landscape of editing, emphasizing the significance of psychological safety in creative environments.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Informational Interview That Changed Everything
- Sophia got her first informational interview through a friend-of-a-friend connection and took it even though she wasn't sure about leaving academia.
- That single conversation led her to pursue more informational interviews and opened a realistic path into publishing.
Always Ask For Two Next Contacts
- At the end of every informational interview, ask for two more people to speak with and keep the chain going.
- Sophia used this exact tactic to expand her network and create new opportunities.
Present Yourself As The Next Role
- Pick a target industry and present yourself as the person you want to become rather than applying broadly to everything.
- Sophia focused on publishing because she knew the product (books) and shaped applications toward entry roles there.
