Regular readers know that I’ve launched a consultancy based on my work, and I’m getting a steady stream of clients who are mostly looking for a bit of extra help with converting CVs to résumés and doing the dreaded transferable skills analysis. I’m also working to get my ass into as many university departmental seminars, grad student association meetings and career centres as possible, once the fall rolls around (and if you’re interested in having me run a workshop on your campus, please do let me know and I’ll work with you to make it happen).
Those are two ways, on top of the blog and the podcast, that I’m going about proselytizing the Good News about life after academia. This work is extremely gratifying; the emails and comments I get each week from people thanking me for running this site just make me feel fantastic.
But I’ve long thought that I’d like to take this site from being a way for me to connect with other people to providing a way for people to connect with each other. The process of leaving academia can be intensely emotional, and, like academia itself, feels like something that you have to battle on your own. But I’ve been thinking of ways that I can help you (you potential leavers, in-the-midst-of leavers, and have-lefters) face that battle with a little less isolation.
The first thing that I’ve done is started a Facebook group. I’m Web 2.0 and all (and if muddling through Twitter isn’t proof of that, I don’t know what is), but I initially resisted doing this. But I thought I’d give it a try to see if a Facebook page would be an ideal location for conversations among Leaving Academia readers could take place.
I’m also wondering if anyone is interested in forming a post-academic job club. This isn’t something that I would be directly or actively involved in, but it is something that I can facilitate the formation of. I’ve never been in a job-hunting club but I can imagine they would have certain merits (at least, that’s what the Guardian says, and who am I to question the Guardian?).
I’m also thinking of installing forums, either here or on a membership site, but that kind of thing is pretty time-intensive, so that will come a little later on down the road.
But does any of this appeal? If you’re interested in the job club idea, leave a comment below or send me an email. Check out the Facebook group. And if you have other ideas for how you can imagine connecting with other (potential) leavers, do let me know.
A final thought about connecting. Yesterday, at Marci Alboher’s site, I was reading this post about creating your own personal team of career advisors, and this old post at her (former) New York Time column on creating a personal board of directors. I am a part of an accountability group that meets 1-2 times a month, and I can tell you that this kind of thing works wonders. The people in my accountability group help me figure out problems, set goals, suggest contacts and cheer on my victories. Although each of us in my accountability group are entrepreneurs, I actually wish I had had something like this when I was in grad school and first hitting the private sector. If you don’t have your own personal team of career advisors, consider assembling one; you don’t have to work in that silo’ed way anymore when you leave academia. And like they say, sharing is the new selfish!
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I like where you’re going with these ideas. My two cents is that a forum would be really valuable. I visited the Facebook page but shriveled at the thought of becoming a fan because it wouldn’t be anonymous. Guess I’m not ready to come out yet!
PS – You link to a LA Facebook page, but refer to it as a group. They are two different things, and I believe a FB group allows for more interaction.
Yes, definitely interested in a forum. I’m on a forum for grad students (Phinished.org) trying to finish their diss, and it’s been invaluable. I’ve even directed students there interested in postacademic jobs to your website, esp your series on transferable skills (CV to resume). Many responded back and said it’s been so helpful. I’m realizing that even on that forum, which supplies a wealth and wide range of information regarding grad school, dissertating, and beyond (including teaching jobs), there’s not enough in the way of resources for nonacademic workers.
I’ll have to check out Facebook — I will likely join that as well.
As for a club, that might be a good intermediary step until you get a forum set up. I’d be interested to know what others think and how we can all learn from each other through something like that.
Great ideas!
I agree with RFYL about anonymity: I’m not ready for my students or my colleagues (both on facebook) to know I’m considering this. Would love a forum on this site itself though.
I’m ok with the lack of anonymity that comes with the Facebook page, but my experience with Facebook groups is that people join, but they don’t really cultivate active participation. Not that it can’t, but…
A forum on this site would be a fantastic tool, but as you’ve pointed out, a lot more work. I’ve also used phinished.org and love it. It really does pick me up when I’m feeling like things are just too much of a slog.
Great work!
My experience with setting up a FB group is the same as Heather’s. A few people join, but I’ve never seen the level of interaction you get from a forum.
I also really enjoy Phinished, but Dawn is right about it lacking much for people thinking about leaving.
Hey, everyone. Thanks for your feedback. And keep it coming!
I’m really pleased that, within a day of announcing the Facebook page, there are already 40 people who are fans. But I do understand that anonymity is an issue for some folks more than others. To that end, I’ve also created a secret Facebook group. No, the group itself isn’t a secret–or at least, it sure ain’t a secret now! Secret in this context means that your membership in the group won’t be revealed on your profile, and you can only become a member of the group if I invite you.
This is all a bit of an experiment, and we’ll just see how well it works for people. If you’re cool with your Facebook status indicating you’re a fan of a page called Leaving Academia, then come on by, leave a comment, start a discussion thread (I’ve started one about job clubs), etc. If you’re not ready to let the whole world know, then drop me an email and I’ll send you an invitation to join the secret group (yes, doesn’t your inner 12-year old thrill at the idea of being a member of a secret group?), and we’ll see how the conversation over there goes.
And of course, there is the trusty blog, right here, ready and waiting for your comments, too.
As an MA, I would be very interested in joining a post-academic job group in the TO area at least.
The famous NerdGirl from globecampus has just written her adieu to academia (http://www.globecampus.ca/blogs/nerd-girl/). It is a bit vague, considering that she was a postpdoc, but this is the first blog she wrote that resonated.