I quit law school. Then I quit my PhD. | Cheryl Lau

When you've always been the straight-A student, quitting feels like a character flaw - not a decision. In this episode, my friend Jennifer Ho turns the tables and interviews me. We go through my three-page resume and look for everything it doesn't show: the shame of quitting law school, my mum telling me I needed to "bring harmony back into the family," and then quitting a PhD years later - terrified of becoming a two-time quitter. This is a conversation about high-functioning doubt, outsourcing your identity to systems, and how I eventually stopped making decisions based on what would make me look good - and started making ones I could actually stand behind. TIMESTAMPS   (00:00) Trailer (00:47) Opening  (01:47) The story my resume can't tell (06:02) How I used to define success  (06:46) Why law school and a PhD didn't actually fit me (11:38) How long I knew something had to change - before I quit (15:21) The strengths I carried through every pivot  (20:31) How do you know when something isn't right - even if you're good at it? (23:27) The skill gaps I'm actively working on now (26:47) How I'm thinking about future-proofing my career (30:53) My edge vs and the part of my work that still scares me  (32:21) What an irresponsible career risk looks like (33:29) What will never need to be on my resume  (36:34) Closing  CONNECT WITH CHERYL LAU   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau WORK WITH CHERYL LAU   I produce distinctive and deeply resonant podcasts for leaders and organizations who want their content to command attention, spark meaningful conversations, and attract high-value opportunities. I ensure your podcast isn't just another show in the feed - it's an asset that elevates your authority and moves your work forward. Here are 3 ways we can work together: ✨ 1:1 Editorial Podcast Production ✨ Corporate Podcast Producing & Consulting ✨ Hosting for Corporate Shows   Schedule a discovery call for us to explore what working together might look like: https://cheryllau.com/discovery CONTACT   Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.