I'm a PhD student, and pursing non-academic work after graduate school is totally normal and expected. Many of my advisor's former students have entered industry, so how could she not both expect and accept it? I wonder where this attitude is most prevalent. I imagine it varies across country, region, university, department, etc.
Edit: That said, I don't think my advisor does a good job preparing us for industry.
You don't need preparation for industry, you need a professor with connections into industry. If your PhD mentor cannot place students you are indeed in trouble.
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I'm a PhD student, and pursing non-academic work after graduate school is totally normal and expected. Many of my advisor's former students have entered industry, so how could she not both expect and accept it? I wonder where this attitude is most prevalent. I imagine it varies across country, region, university, department, etc.
Edit: That said, I don't think my advisor does a good job preparing us for industry.
You don't need preparation for industry, you need a professor with connections into industry. If your PhD mentor cannot place students you are indeed in trouble.