Okay. So, we’ve established the Facebook page and the secret Facebook group (or is it the Facebook group and the secret Facebook page? Either way, go here if you’re not concerned about annonymity, and email me if you are). I’m also toying with the idea of setting up a wiki here on the site, as a way for the post-academic community to build and share knowledge and resources.
But sometimes, an academic leaver kinda just longs for a little bit of hanging out, some beer drinking and some story swapping–not to mention some intellectual stimulation. But there does an academic leaver find that kind of thing? Well, if you live in Toronto, you can come to a meetup on August 20th. And if you don’t? You can email me to let me know you’d like to initiate a meetup in your own corner of the world, and I will post a note here on the blog.
So far, I’ve had calls for community in Montreal, Quebec and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Do you live there? Would you like to connect with other people who may be experiencing what you are? Email me, and I will help you find some kindred spirits.
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A bit of shameless self-promotion …
Academic leavers in the DC area can attend Ph.D.’s Without Borders (web site: http://www.meetup.com/Ph-D-s-Without-Borders/). It’s oriented around job searches, but employed Ph.D.’s have found it an enjoyable way to connect with people of similar backgrounds and share their experiences. We generally meet on the last Saturday of the month, and our next meeting is in Silver Spring on July 31.
Vancouver is on the line!
Ooooh, Mike! I love that! Can I steal the name? LOVE IT! Who came up with that? And I was thinking of using Meetup.com to formalize things, but then I figured individual people and groups who were autonomously organizing themselves would probably be better off to do that without me. Thanks so much for letting us know about this DC area group!
Yes, you may certainly use the name.
It came about in a quirky way. I have a perverse fondness for puns, so when I was creating the group, I thought about calling it “Doctorates without Borders.” Then I chickened out, figuring that was too close to the original group’s name. I still liked the “without borders” idea, though, so I just changed the offending word.
Lately I’ve been thinking that there might be a use for an online group. People seem reluctant to take the time to attend our group’s meetings, but it also seems like WRK4US is inappropriate for personal networking. (I see it more as a site where people can get general questions answered.) Perhaps there is a place for a “virtual networking” site, where people could post their skills and interests and others could give suggestions of people they know who could help. I’m not sure what platform it would use (listserv, Meetup, or a yahoo or google group), except that there ought to be confidentiality protections.
I’ll send you my email off-site in case you want to talk further.
I’d like to say that I would like to be ‘anonymous’ about being a fan of your site. Many of my friends are still in academia and I feel a bit off about being ‘out’ about leaving academia. I feel that academia has left me really.
I’m based in the UK and I wonder how many UK post-academic people there are out there
We’ve also got Madison in the house! Any Wisconsinites looking to connect?
How about Chicago? Anyone?
I’m the Madisonian – I’m going to try to make into Chicago in the next month or so … want to try to meet up?
Mike – I *would* love to see a site/group like the one you mention. One of the most helpful job things I’ve had happen was hooking up with a friend from high school through facebook who was willing to brainstorm ways to transition into his industry.
No idea how to start a group; but maybe a group blog page would work? It would preserve confidentiality, I believe. I’d be interested in helping out w/ this/being involved. Sabine, is this something you guys have been discussing more? If so, can I help/could you put us in touch?
This might a possibility: http://www.ning.com/
It allows you to create a social network. My undergrad college has used it effectively.
Greyeyes, Mike and I have been exchanging a few ideas in the backchannel about what would suit the post-academic community the best. I love that you’re so keen on building something. I will get you guys in touch. Ning is actually a great idea we hadn’t considered (among the possibilities of a listserv, Google group, wiki, etc.). Anyone else who wants to help build it?
Oh, I’ve also just discovered, too, that there is a group on LinkedIn for post-academics, but it’s not very active. Ning seems more accessible to a wider variety of people at different stages in their careers.