In this episode of Pivoting Out of EDU, Jaimie sits down with Dr. Sylvester Gaskin to unpack a powerful and deeply honest career pivot story, one shaped not just by ambition, but by burnout, trauma, and the urgent need to choose health over title.

Sylvester shares his unconventional path from engineering to student affairs, his rise into senior leadership as an Associate Dean, and the invisible toll that crisis response, COVID leadership, and ever-expanding responsibilities took on his physical and mental health. He opens up about navigating PTSD and agoraphobia, confronting the cultural silence around burnout in higher ed, and the moment he realized he had to "make a business decision" about his own life.

Listeners will hear how Sylvester intentionally pivoted out of campus-based roles into a remote learning and development position within a medical nonprofit, translating student affairs experience into leadership development, instructional design, and systems-level work without sacrificing well-being.

This conversation is for anyone who:

• Feels trapped by the next title or promotion

• Is questioning whether the cost of staying is too high

• Is curious about learning & development as a post-higher-ed pathway

• Wants proof that prioritizing health doesn't mean giving up impact

A candid reminder that success isn't just about climbing—it's about choosing a path that lets you breathe.

In this episode, Jaimie welcomes Maria Crockett as she shares the story of her inspiring "second act"—transitioning from over two decades in higher education to becoming the US Intern Program Manager at SAS. Maria reflects on her roots in academic support for student athletes, the thoughtful and strategic process behind her career pivot, and the lessons learned along the way. She offers advice on identifying transferable skills, building authentic networks, and finding meaning and flexibility in a new field. Whether you're considering a career change or curious about intern program management, Maria's journey is packed with actionable insights and honest reflections to support your own professional growth.

Connect with Maria Crockett on LinkedIn

Get Coaching & Support: https://HoffmanRising.com

In this episode, Ben Erwin shares his journey from journalism to academia to corporate instructional design and training. He breaks down the skills, mindset shifts, and upskilling that helped him leave higher ed, the realities of pivot timelines, and why networking—and understanding job requirements—matters more than firing off applications. Ben also talks about his popular LinkedIn job-sharing content and how he supports educators exploring EdTech and L&D careers.

Connect with Ben Erwin on LinkedIn

Get Coaching & Support: https://HoffmanRising.com

Our host kicks off Season 5 of Pivoting Out of EDU with a look back at how far we've come—and a glimpse at what's next. In this episode, we revisit the themes, guests, and stories that have shaped the journey of educators transitioning into new careers, while setting the stage for the conversations to come this season. From career pivots to personal growth, this short intro reminds us why we started and what's still ahead as we continue to explore life beyond the classroom.

Helpful Links

• Website: www.pivotingoutofedu.com

• LinkedIn Page: Pivoting Out of EDU on LinkedIn

• Instagram: @pivotingoutofedu

💬 Connect With Us

• Host: Dr. Jaimie Hoffman on LinkedIn

• Coaching + Resources: Explore personalized 1:1 coaching services (partnering with Hoffman Rising) designed to support educators ready to pivot.

We end our fourth season with almost 40k downloads and with this interesting pivot featuring Jon Broska. Both Tom and Jaimie were quite surprised to find that Jon's story is one of our favorites of the season. Jon pivoted from campus recreation to being a financial advisor and we never would have thought that there were so many similarities to student affairs work. We highly encourage you to listen to this episode!

And... get ready for season five because we're switching it up and we think you'll love it!

Beth Tousant shares how she took her 12 years of experience from career services to implementation at EAB. Listen to how she leveraged her transferrable skills to support universities across the nation.

Wondering if the great resignation is impacting academics beyond the US? Hear Luna Muñoz's perspective as someone who has left academia and is helping others in the UK think through pivoting.

This week we talk to Germyce Williams, a joyful and brilliant woman who talks about her experience working in recruitment and admissions in on campus positions and in ed tech.