Let’s talk about entrepreneurship, creating your own opportunities, why you are never stuck as someone with a graduate degree, and what to do if you ever feel like you are stuck.
First, a question:
What comes to your mind when you hear the word entrepreneurship?
If it conjures ideations of ruthless people who take other people’s money, hoard it, and then promote an unhealthy obsession with morning routines and monolithic definitions of success, you will not be the first person I’ve heard that from.
But what if I told you that the act of creating new knowledge where none existed before, trouble-shooting problems, and critical thinking – things we academics are particularly skilled at – are all entrepreneurial acts?
In The Entrepreneurial Scholar by Dr. Ilana Horwitz, an assistant professor of sociology at Tulane University, (I recently interviewed her for the podcast – that episode will be live in a couple of weeks) this is exactly what she discusses.
My goal is not to give an overview of the book today, but I do want to point you to PhDs and academics – some of whom still have full-time jobs – who have created opportunities for themselves by taking the problems they once solved in academia and bringing them to the market.
Like Dr. Ramon Goings, a language arts professor who also supports doctoral students who need help finishing their dissertations.
Or Dr. Paulina Cossette who taught political science for 15 years before she started using her sharp editing skills to help faculty with get their papers and grants publication ready.
Or Dr. Crystal Herron who leverages a background in math and biomedical science to run a medical writing consultancy.
All these businesses are run ethically without the need for 3-hour morning routines that involve bananas on your face.
It’s possible for you too.
Three quick lessons I hope you take away from today’s email:
- The skills we think are mundane in academia are worth thousands, if not millions on the open market. If you’re so inclined, you can create a business around those skills and be rewarded well for them – regardless of your academic discipline. And with no need for a venture capital firm to give you money.
- Being entrepreneurial gives you agency and choices. Whether you become a full-time entrepreneur, run it on the side, or use your skills to innovate and grow within a company, being entrepreneurial-minded gives you control and options. I personally NEVER want to be at the mercy of any particular employer. If this is you too, then I hope this email ignites a spark to go forth and be free.
- You are never stuck. Maybe you’re tired. Burned out. Disillusioned by a system. But you’re not stuck. Take the rest you need. And then use the skills you already have to create the life YOU want. It’s not a cakewalk. But it’s worth it.
In the famous words of Bugs Bunny, that’s all folks.
Talk later.
Gertrude Nonterah, Ph.D.
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