I Got My Ph.D. So Why Didn’t I Become a Professor?

What happens when you spend years pursuing a Ph.D., only to realize academia may not be the path you’re meant to follow?In this episode, I sit down with Summer Kim, a strategic researcher with a Ph.D. in Consumer Behavior, who made the bold transition from academia to industry. As a Third Culture Kid (TCK), Summer has spent her life navigating different cultures and environments—experiences that have shaped the way she understands identity, career choices, and adapting to change.We talk about redefining success, letting go of expectations, and finding a path that feels authentic—even when it looks different from what others imagined for you.Outside of her work, Summer shares her creative side through content featuring her adorable Russian Blue kitten, Bingsu (@bingsuinthesummer).Join us for a conversation about identity, reinvention, and what it means to create a life beyond the labels we’re given.