EP 105: Career Planning for PhD Moms | Does Your Job Match Your Purpose in Life? [Journal Prompt]

A gut‑check on default career planning, purpose, and life vision High‑achieving PhD/STEM moms often stay in roles that no longer fit their life vision—driven by sunk costs, fear of wasting their PhD, and pressure to appear grateful. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ve already put in so many years in this job…I don’t want to waste my PhD,” this episode offers a career planning framework to find purpose, protect your work‑life balance, and decide whether your current job truly belongs in your long‑term life plan. Today I break down a simple, research‑informed process for career planning for PhD moms that can help you separate default planning (path of least resistance) from intentional, purpose‑driven planning. You’ll see how to assess alignment between your inner motivation and your external work output, and how shifting roles and environments (not always fields) can move you closer to meaningful impact without “wasting” your degree. Whether you're already contemplating a career change or simply wondering, “Does my job still match my purpose in life?” I’m here to demystify why misalignment creates chronic tension even when your CV looks great. You’ll walk away with a journal prompt, interpretation steps, and next moves so you can start making life planning decisions from vision, not fear. Episode Highlights (0:00): Teaser(2:16): Ask me a question(2:45): Why so many PhD/STEM moms stay in careers that no longer fit their life vision(7:32): Journal Prompt on how to map what truly drives you against what your job actually asks you to do(8:20): The science behind why your brain resists career change(14:59): How to read your own journal entry for signs of default planning(20:16): Next steps for turning self‑awareness into an actual life plan and potential career pivot →→→ Turn your journal insights into a concrete personalized roadmap for career decisions, work‑life balance, and a life that lets you pursue big goals and protect family time in my private life planning program. 👉🏼 My Designed Life Method empowers moms in STEM with a clear life plan for pursuing their ambitions without sacrificing family time. P.S. Your first call is free, and I’ll run an Alignment Audit to get your customized life plan started! Keep Learning On This Topic Mom-friendly way to explore flexible career options - ⏮️ EP 63: Ready to Return to Work? 3 Career Change Strategies for SAHMs Who Want Flexible, Purpose-Driven Work (Podcast) A decision-making framework for career changes - ⏮️ EP 92: Career Clarity in 3 Steps Without Losing Work‑Life Balance | Career Change for Moms – Part 5 (Podcast) Life planning framework - 📖 3 Powerful Ways to Find Purpose as a Mom Beyond the Daily Routine (Blog) I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 🙋🏻‍♀️ Question, episode idea, or feedback? Record a message in just one click! Leave me a 🤩 rating & review—your support helps other moms find the show! 💌 Grab my newsletter for twice-monthly tips, tools, and exclusives—so you can build a life that honors both your ambitions and your family 📫 E-mail [e-mail] FOLLOW 👍🏽 Tap +Follow and never miss an episode. 🌐 Visit solveformom.com for more information and FREE resources ➡️ Follow @solveformom on LinkedIn for life planning strategies that help you envision, plan, and take action on your big ideas while prioritizing family time. 🔬Connect with me on my personal LinkedIn as a fellow PhD researcher & scientific consultant. 📍Follow Solve for Mom on Pinterest for daily tips for moms in STEM to find balance one micro-step at a time. // Life Planning Tools for Moms Striving to Balance Ambition and Motherhood //