I landed my second tenure-track job in 2017: political science, a 3/3 load at a small liberal arts college on the east coast. The salary was $62,000. At the time, that felt okay. Here’s what doesn’t feel okay. Almost 10 years later, people are still being offered that same number (or sometimes less) for thatContinueContinue reading “Academia isn’t a family. Here’s what that belief costs you.”
Author Archives: Acadia Editing Services
How much is the prestige actually doing for you?
When I was in grad school, my advisor was a prominent congressional scholar, genuinely well known in the field. Everyone knew who he was, and he was, for the record, a lovely person and a wonderful advisor. But I remember the moment it hit me that literally no one outside of congressional studies had anyContinueContinue reading “How much is the prestige actually doing for you?”
The cliff edge isn’t the only option
When I left academia, I didn’t have a plan. I was on the phone with my provost, who was trying to talk me into staying, and somewhere in that conversation it clicked for me, all at once and very physically: no matter what I did next, I was never going to be happy as anContinueContinue reading “The cliff edge isn’t the only option”
Who are you without the title?
How do I find a new job? How do I become a different person, when all I know how to be is an academic? Which do you think is the most common question I get from academics wondering if it’s time to leave academia? Would it surprise you that it’s the second question? Earlier thisContinueContinue reading “Who are you without the title?”
Why I’m Teaching 47 Strangers My Entire Business Framework for Free
A smart business person would keep their secrets. Here’s why I don’t. On January 29, I’m hosting a free call – 3 Steps to Your Dream Academic Business – where I’ll teach the exact three-step framework I used to build a six-figure academic editing business. I’ll show you examples of real academics who’ve launched successfulContinueContinue reading “Why I’m Teaching 47 Strangers My Entire Business Framework for Free”
The Academic Entrepreneur’s Guide to Marketing (without feeling gross)
The first time I tried to write a LinkedIn post about my editing business, I wrote and deleted the post 5 times. Every version sounded wrong, and not like me. Eventually, I realized that academia had trained me to think marketing equals manipulation. Selling equals sleazy or self-promotion equals desperate. The “gross” feeling I wasContinueContinue reading “The Academic Entrepreneur’s Guide to Marketing (without feeling gross)”
Start Ugly: How I Wrote Toilet Paper Descriptions and Still Built a 6-Figure Business
When I started as an academic editor in 2020, I found this website where you could write descriptions for products. You know when you go to Walmart.com and you want to buy toilet paper, and there’s this little description about how it’s the best, softest, most absorbent toilet paper? Yeah, I wrote those. Remote carContinueContinue reading “Start Ugly: How I Wrote Toilet Paper Descriptions and Still Built a 6-Figure Business”
The Workshop You’d Teach For Free Could Make You $1,000 This Month
You’ve delivered the guest lecture, presented at the departmental colloquium, and led the professional development session for graduate students—all for free. Maybe you got a line on your CV under “service”, or a thank you email. Did you know that same expertise could have earned you $500 to $1,000? Most academics think the only wayContinueContinue reading “The Workshop You’d Teach For Free Could Make You $1,000 This Month”
Your imposter syndrome is lying: you’ve already been CEO
When I first started my business after leaving academia, I thought I was missing something. I thought there was a hidden manual for people who actually knew what they were doing, and I didn’t have a copy. Business felt like a foreign language full of words I’d never learned: operations, pipeline, marketing, systems. I’d spentContinueContinue reading “Your imposter syndrome is lying: you’ve already been CEO”
Yes, you can start a business while still in academia (here’s how)
You’re sitting in your office after another marathon faculty meeting, staring at the stack of essays waiting to be graded. The thought crosses your mind again: What if there’s something else out there for me? But immediately, the guilt sets in. A voice says, “I can’t explore other options while I’m still here. That wouldContinueContinue reading “Yes, you can start a business while still in academia (here’s how)”