The Work Seminar

And once again, a semester of The Work Seminar comes to an end. We’ll return with Season 4 after the break. In the meantime, here’s hoping you’ve learned as much from these conversations as we have. See you back here in 2023. Don’t be a stranger in between seasons Send your questions, thoughts on the show, and guest suggestions to jesse@theworkseminar.com. Wanna leave us a tip? Treat us to a virtual coffee on our Ko-fi page. Check out our BookShop.org store for the books mentioned in all our episodes. Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter. Support the Show.

Zakiya's debut book Dump Your Degree is a practical guide for thinking beyond academic credentials as you pursue a new career. And she’s followed her own advice, transitioning from the professoriate (with a PhD in religious education) to full-time author. We delve into her methodology through a step-by-step example of: Like many guests have said before, it’s always easier to update your résumé and indiscriminately apply to jobs. But the success rate and job satisfaction of Zakiya’s playbook is much higher, particularly for the liberal arts crowd. Where to find Zakiya and her book Dump Your Degree by Zakiya Akerele ZakiyaAkerele.com Zakiya on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Judith finished grad school with a passion for increasing student retention. As she spent more time — and moved up the ladder — in higher ed administration, she became equally committed to expanding access. And she did, indeed, make retention and access top priorities in positions across student affairs, development, and international education. But what appeared to be a perfect career progression on paper was not in practice. That’s when Judith, for the first time, looked beyond the ivory tower for work. Within a few years in finance, she had the opportunity to transfer to investment banking, where she now relishes the quick pace of change and ability to solve complex problems. Had she not taken the time to question what she valued in her work, Judith may have never considered if careers outside of higher ed could be a better fit. Books & other resources mentioned What Should I Do with My Life? by Po Bronson The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin Life map resources Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

A self-branded writer/poet, Austin relished the opportunity to hone his creative skills in grad school. And he was open to divergent work after graduation. Just as he found his footing as a copywriter and social media strategist at a small marketing agency, the Great Recession reared its head, ending his gig six months after he started. And that marked Austin’s last full-time job. The freelancing he began during a rough economy morphed into entrepreneurship. Now Austin splits his time between writing, consulting, and building Freelance Cake, where he passes along the lessons he’s learned to land better clients (more pay, less drama) and strategic marketing projects. His time in grad school — particularly those poetry workshops — instilled a love for the economy of words, which he’s reflected in his copywriting and content ever since. **Please forgive my poor audio. A couple technical difficulties popped up that I’ve hammered out for future episodes.”** Books mentioned Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer Give and Take by Adam Grant Range by David Epstein Where to find Austin & Freelance Cake Austin on LinkedIn and Twitter AustinLChurch.com FreelanceCake.com Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Jackie held down six (six!) part-time jobs after grad school. But a couple years into her first full-time gig, her art and career hit a lull. That’s when she started devoting her commute time to learning everything she could about digital marketing. In relatively short order, she secured a full-time marketing position at a small agency. And she started focusing on her art in the early mornings, soon joining a shared studio space where she could better create and showcase her abstract and geometric art. Now she helps fellow artists hone their craft and balance their practice with the Level Up Artists podcast and her online course, all while flourishing as a marketer. By focusing on processes she could incorporate into her life — and not abiding by the unwritten rules of how artists and scholars should live and work — Jackie has found a day job that informs her artwork, and vice versa. Book mentioned The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss Where to find Jackie, Level Up Artists, & Jackie’s art work JaclynSanders.com and Jackie on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook Level Up Artists podcast Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Jesan pivoted from student affairs leadership to entrepreneurship in a novel fashion: He started with revisiting his grad school curriculum. After combing through the syllabi from his master’s program, Jesan thought, “I could take that topic and turn it into a product.” And so he did, marketing his conflict resolution and reconciliation skills to business audiences willing to pay for them. From his early solopreneur days of consulting and speaking engagements to founding HSCT Publishing, creating training programs, writing books, and hosting podcasts, Jesan centers his businesses on the idea of intentional leadership. And it’s in no small part thanks to capitalizing on his MA work, adjuncting, and previous career in higher ed. Jesan’s books & podcast 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership My Boss Doesn't Care: 100 Essays on Disrupting Your Work By Disrupting Your Boss Marketing for Peace Builders: How to Market Your Value to a World in Conflict Leadership Lessons from the Great Books podcast Where to find Jesan & HSCT Publishing Jesan on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram HSCT’s website and HSCT LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram profiles The Leadership Toolbox website The Leading Keys platform Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

A future of intellectual exploration and research drew Tory to grad school. But two seasons of an unfruitful tenure-track search prompted her to question what she wanted out of work — and where she wanted to do it. After 40 or 50 informational interviews with anyone willing to chat about their careers, Tory landed a data science role in Silicon Valley. She soon discovered a passion for coaching as she mentored her employees. In May 2020, she founded Academic Exit to help social science PhDs succeed in the tech industry. Now she focuses on what she enjoyed most from her time at Meta (Facebook) and Google with the independence she missed from her academic days. And her willingness to explore what she truly wanted out of a job and to untangle her academic achievements from her work — and overall — identity made all the difference. Where to find Tory & her work Tory (Academic Exit) on Gumroad Tory on Twitter and LinkedIn Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

And once again, we’ve reached a temporary end. After a little rest, The Work Seminar will return with Season 3. In the meantime, here’s hoping you’ve learned as much from these conversations as we have. See you back here this fall. Don’t be a stranger in between seasons Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to find out first when Season 3 drops. Check out our BookShop.org store for all the books mentioned in our first two seasons. Send your questions, thoughts on the show, and guest suggestions to jesse@theworkseminar.com. Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Support the Show.

Jon taught guitar lessons — including to, once upon a mid/late 90s time, yours truly — while finishing his liberal arts degree. Not long after graduation, his passion for animal rights drew him to leave teaching music for advocacy, and he’s worked full-time in the field ever since. In his first 10 years of advocacy work, Jon played guitar and wrote tunes on the side, telling himself one day he’d take music more seriously. Then in 2012, a severe case of Lyme disease landed him in the ICU for over a week. After that reminder of life’s finite nature, Jon’s priorities shifted. He incorporated playing and writing music into his daily routine, booked time in a studio, and released his first album in 2014. Since then he’s toured across the US, released three more albums, and made music a non-negotiable part of life. All while still devoting his 9-to-5 life to improving the treatment of animals. Today, Jon’s been kind enough to walk us through the logistics and rewards of balancing a significant creative pursuit with a cause you love. And yes, there are plenty of sacrifices along the way. But in Jon’s experience, those concessions are a small price to pay for passion in your work and your art. Resources mentioned “How to be a Musician with a Day Job” and “How to Balance Full-time Work with Creative Projects” by Jeffery Silverstein Where to find Jon, his music, and his advocacy work Jon on Bandcamp Jon on Spotify Jon the Musician on Instagram and Twitter Jon the Animal Advocate on Twitter The Humane League Jon’s induction into the Animal Rights Hall of Fame Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Amie studied fine arts with no intention of working professionally in the field. She took office jobs during college, and shortly after graduating parlayed that experience into a full-time job for a clinical research company. Without a technical background, she was moved to the company’s quality team. And she’s flourished in that discipline ever since. Amie graciously walks us through the ins and outs of moving to a technical career without the “proper” background or education. She dives into: A liberal arts disposition doesn’t preclude technical aptitude or interest. And with Amie’s insights, you can better convince a hiring manager of that fact. Where to find Amie Amie on LinkedIn Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Before Brian hired employees to support his three businesses, he was a solo practitioner in the payroll and financial services space for six years. And in today’s bonus episode, we’re tapping into Brian’s 10+ years of experience helping self-employed clients get off the ground. Brian dives into the realities of starting your own business, including: ***And just to be on the safe side … This episode does not contain or constitute legal advice. You should really contact a CPA or business attorney if you want advice about your (aspirational or realized) business.*** Resources mentioned 1871 Where to find Brian & his businesses Brian on LinkedIn InFocusPayroll.com GoodBookin.com Brian @ InFocusPayroll.com Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Laura’s multipotentialite mother inspired so much in her life: a love of learning, culture, language, and academic achievement. But a few years into her PhD in Victorian literature, Laura doubted that a tenured professorship was within reach. Or that it was the lifestyle she wanted. Thanks to intensive soul-searching and working with a coach, she gained clarity into potential careers, finished her dissertation earlier than the bulk of her cohort, and began her transition to marketing. Between working for a small nonprofit, a large professional services firm, and a few other employers, Laura has become a well-regarded content marketing strategist and ghostwriter for executives. When the pandemic hit, Laura struck out on her own for more flexibility, including time to augment her daughters’ online learning. Laura’s future includes big plans for building a content marketing agency, working abroad for five or six years in Europe, and writing a novel. All ambitions her mother — her mentor — would surely be proud of. Laura’s recommended books for a career switch Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration--Lessons from The Second City by Kelly Leonard & Tom Yorton Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath Secrets to Winning at Office Politics by Marie G. McIntyre Workplace Poker: Are You Playing the Game, or Just Getting Played? by Dan Rust The Power of Bad: How the Negativity Effect Rules Us and How We Can Rule It by John Tierney and Roy F. Baumeister H3 leadership: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle by Brad Lomenick and Mark Burnett Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain Laura’s recommended content marketing resources Content Marketing Institute Content Marketing Profs LinkedIn Learning Content Marketing Courses Other resources mentioned The Versatile PhD MentorCoach Where to find Laura & Sharp Storylines Laura on LinkedIn Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Halfway through her doctoral program, Megan knew pursuing a professorship wasn’t the right path. She loved her studies, but seeing how her work could be applied in industry cemented her decision to look outside higher ed for career prospects. Enlightening conversations with friends and colleagues in the tech scene led Megan to discover the then-nascent user experience (UX) field. One particular chat crystalized UX research as the perfect area for her to focus on. And focus there she did. After nine years in UX research and research management roles, Megan was as (initially) surprised as anyone to move into talent development. But her belief in a growth mindset, her evolving identity beyond a UX and psychology practitioner, and an opportunity to stretch herself all aligned. Now Megan relishes helping fellow leaders develop their skills and teams, along with finding a sense of accomplishment and balance. Books & other resources mentioned Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck JoinLearners.com — a UX career resource The Calm App or Headspace for starting a mindfulness practice Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Before Joe founded and sold Content Marketing Institute, wrote six books, and returned to entrepreneurship with The Tilt, he exemplified the liberal arts stereotype: a master’s in hand and uncertainty ahead. After earning his MA, Joe decided against a PhD and opted instead to find work in internal communications. But that plan hit a snag when hiring managers balked at his lack of experience. He turned to temping, and six months later landed a full-time role that blossomed into a career in marketing and communications. Joe’s known for positive attitude, lifelong learning, and commitment to goal setting (and achievement). Those traits helped him reach a VP spot in the media industry and then pivot to build two successful, education-focused companies. And, of course, Joe’s grad school days spent mastering the art of ethical persuasion, coupled with exploring his passions and strengths while a student, played no small role in his career achievements. Joe’s Books & Other Resources The Will to Die, Joe’s debut mystery and thriller novel Content Inc. Epic Content Marketing Killing Marketing, co-written with Robert Rose Content Inc. podcast This Old Marketing podcast with co-host Robert Rose Where to find Joe & The Tilt @JoePulizzi on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook thetilt.com Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Dr. Chris Brooks was in the thick of his dissertation when he co-founded Brown Venture Group, a venture capital firm exclusively for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous technology startups. On top of that, he worked a full-time job and took his commitments as a spouse and father of four seriously. But what sounds like extreme sacrifice to us was “being obedient to my calling” to Chris. And that calling? Creating a new case for human flourishing in communities of color. Chris believes venture capital can move marginalized groups out of poverty and into living wage jobs, making that human flourishing possible. Christian theology — particularly Eastern-rooted theology — and economics are, to Chris, intertwined and inextricable. His doctorate and lifelong study of theology are indispensable to his entrepreneurship and devotion to economic justice. Books & other resources mentioned Unsettling Truths by Mark Charles and Soong-Chan Rah The Mystery of Capital by Hernando de Soto Black History for White People podcast Where to find Dr. Brooks and Brown Venture Group Dr. Brooks on LinkedIn Brown Venture Group website, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Boredom at her job, coupled with aspirations to become the next Maxwell Perkins, inspired Heather to enroll in an MA in writing and publishing program. While she spent time in educational publishing during grad school, a move to the West Coast after graduation meant fewer employers in her field of choice — and field of study. In short order, Heather landed at Amazon, which serendipitously served as her intro to marketing. She soon discovered that the discipline offered the creative outlet and variety she craved in a career. Over the years, Heather’s explored different aspects of marketing and found her niche in web copywriting, the persuasive content that encourages readers to take some form of action. In 2019, she struck out on her own to found HD Copywriting. Now Heather imbues her work with the skills she honed in those writing workshops and courses. And she’s revisiting her Perkins ambitions as she regularly chips away at her debut novel. Freelancing resources mentioned Creative Class podcast Being Freelance podcast Copywriting resources mentioned The Copywriter Club Copyhackers and Joanna Weibe Copy School, a Copyhackers course Where to find Heather and HD Copywriting HDcopywriting.com @HDCopywriter on Instagram Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Jonathan’s pursuit of an MFA was “totally mercenary.” After making little headway in his career or with his oil paintings post college, he realized his penchant for writing could be lucrative (and creative). Several years later, with his master’s finished, Jonathan was at a work party when his boss made an offhand remark that sparked another epiphany: If he kept working for others, he’d likely never get a larger piece of the proverbial pie. Within a few months, Kranz Communications was born. The early years demanded learning the ins and outs of copywriting, networking, and marketing his own business while taking whatever work he could get — and often at low rates. But his tenacity paid off. Jonathan’s income tripled between his first and second year solo. And he has earned a solid reputation in his space, landing big-name accounts, speaking at marketing events, and leading workshops at conferences and for clients. Twenty-five years on, the deliverables and technology have changed. But Jonathan’s preference for charting his own path has remained. Books & other resources mentioned Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy Ugly Things Magazine Where to find Jonathan’s content and creative works Kranz Communications website Writing Copies for Dummies by Jonathan Kranz Our Brothers at the Bottom of the Bottom of the Sea (YA novel) by Jonathan Kranz Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

A self-described “case study in never deciding what I wanted to be when I grew up,” David found himself working in counseling before and after completing his MA in religion. It wasn’t the right fit, but at the time, he couldn’t quite articulate the underlying reasons why. Then four years after grad school, his career moved in mysterious ways. The state changed its professional licensure requirements for counseling, meaning David could either pursue a second master’s in a field that he had no passion for or look elsewhere for employment. Instead of starting with what existing skills he could transfer to a new job, he contemplated where an introvert like him could flourish. A little freelancing and a web development certification later, he began a career in software development that has grown into management. Had David not put in the work of self-discovery that culminated in an introversion epiphany, he might not have found a career that suits his personality and strengths. Books & other resources mentioned Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain Where to find David’s freelance and non-work writing David’s Freelance Portfolio Unobtrusive Lucidity — David’s thoughts on faith, art, and culture Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Amanda’s passion for public finance harkens back to her undergrad days. Yet before grad school, she had never intended to pursue applied public policy work. Her interest in social theory and the effects of capitalism in international aid and development led her to pursue an MA in geography. After finishing her thesis on post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in Haiti, she landed a job researching Illinois’ public pension systems. Soon, she was neck deep in public finance questions reminiscent of her scholarship. Reveling in that work led Amanda to reconsider her future career. And when she discovered that University of Illinois at Chicago’s PhD in urban planning and policy program included faculty with geography and public finance experience, she found her doctoral calling. Now her work at UIC’s Government Finance Research Center continues the thread of helping people understand where their money goes—and how it’s being used. Had Amanda not been open to a job in applied policy, she might never have found industry work she loves. Note: Apologies in advance to listeners without strong Illinois or Chicago ties. We delve into the weeds a bit — just a bit — of Land of Lincoln and Windy City taxes and finances. But to the locals: Enjoy! Resources mentioned Amanda and Daniel Kay Hertz’s TIF Explainer How I Built This podcast Where to find Amanda and the Government Finance Research Center AmandaKass.blog Amanda on Twitter UIC’s Government Finance Research Center Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.

Anthony had every intention to work as a professional anthropologist. But after finishing his PhD and teaching for a few years, that desire changed. His decision to leave higher ed led to a different higher calling: joining the priesthood of the Coptic Church. Once again, Anthony thought he’d found meaningful work he couldn’t imagine leaving. But three years after his ordination, serving in the Coptic Church turned out not to be a long-term calling. After two previous career “certainties,” Anthony doesn’t approach UX research the way he did academia or the priesthood. Now, work is work. UX doesn’t have to bring meaning and fulfillment into his life. He’s, quite happily, found other ways to achieve that. Book mentioned Thread of Blood: Colonialism, Revolution, and Gender on Mexico's Northern Frontier by Ana María Alonso Check out more from The Work Seminar Visit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox. Support the Show.