I wanted to thank you again for yesterday’s workshop. The warmth, honesty, and generosity you bring to such a difficult topic was truly unique. Elisa were discussing how necessary and, unfortunately rare, these conversations are in grad school—especially in the humanities. Thank you for doing this important work!
Danielle Taschereau Mamers, PhD (Managing Director, Critical Digital Humanities Initiative, University of Toronto)
Thank you for your session, I think it was really timely and beneficial for all that attended. We have had some students ask about doing StrengthsQuest as a follow up to your advice. We have gotten them connected to that resource at our university, and I plan to offer a StrengthsQuest workshop to the attendees from your session. Thank you for inspiring them to take action!
Rachel E. Begley (Director, Professional Development Center, School of Graduate Studies, Case Western Reserve University)
You’re an absolute PRO with virtual workshops! Really love how you used the Google Doc to collect real-time responses, keeping them on their toes throughout. That 90 minutes flew by. Thank you!
Peter Carlton, PhD (Senior Brand Manager, CAS)
Interested in booking me as a speaker or workshop facilitator?
I would love to speak with your group. Learn more on this page: For Institutions and Organizations.
Upcoming Events
TBA.
Past Events
Workshop, “From Papers to Purpose: How to Prepare for and Launch Your Non-Academic Career,” University of Washington, 16 Nov 2023, 4pm PST.
Workshop, “Your Career Compass: Navigating Your Move from Now to What’s Next,” CAS, 19 Oct 2023, 2pm EDT.
Series of four connected 75-minute workshops for Purdue University’s Fall Blitz event, 10 Oct 2023, starting at 9:30am EDT:
- “How to Chart Your Career Next Steps Even If You Have No Idea What You Want to (or Can) Do”
- “How to Build Authentic Connections Online Without Having to Pretend You’re Someone You’re Not”
- “How to Turn Your Academic Accomplishments into Compelling Resumes for Awesome Jobs”
- “How to Win at Job Interviews Even If You Hate Talking About Yourself”
Workshop (in-person), “Your Career Compass: Navigating Your Move from Academia to Industry,” CAS Future Leaders program, Columbus, OH, 10 Aug 2023, 1:30pm EDT.
Workshop, “What’s Next, PhD? Preparing for a Values-Driven Job Search,” Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 29 June 2023, 4pm EDT.
Workshops, “Unearth Your Ideal Career Direction” and “Cultivate Your Personal Brand to Harvest Opportunities,” Early Career Researcher Development Workshop, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellent for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 19 June 2023.
Workshop (in-person), “Navigating the Career Pivot: Envision and Prepare for Life and Work after Your Graduate Degree or Postdoc,” Graduate College Spring Forum, Sandman Signature Lodge, Lethbridge, AB, 14 May 2023. Hosted by the University of Calgary Graduate College and the University of Lethbridge.
Workshop, “Where to Next? How to Decide What You Want to Do After Your PhD and Land a Great Job,” Faculty of Environment, Simon Fraser University, 17 Apr 2023, 1pm PDT.
Workshop, “Elevate Your Postdoc Experience: Building Skills and Networks for Future Success,” York University, 20 Apr 2023, 12pm EDT.
Workshop, “Discovering Your Core Values: A Guide to Purposeful Career Planning for Graduate Students,” Professional Development Week 2023, Graduate Council of Arts & Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 5 Apr 2023, 2pm EDT.
Workshop, “From CV to Resume: Communicating Effectively with Non-Academic Employers,” Zuckerman Institute for Mind, Brain, Behavior, Columbia University, 2 Mar 2023, 3:30pm EST.
Workshop, “The Why of Academia: What’s Next? Deciding Your Direction, Getting There, and How Professors Can Help,” Center for Neuroplasticity and Pain, Aalborg University, 7 Dec 2022.
Speaker, “How to Help PhD Students Launch Meaningful Careers,” part of “The Future of PhD Candidates in the Workplace: If You’re Not Part of the Solution, You’re Part of the Problem roundtable,” CAGS Annual Meeting, in person session, Montreal, 2 Nov 2022, 9am EDT.
Moderator, “How We Do the PhD Here: An International Roundtable of Deans,” CAGS Annual Meeting, virtual session, 1 Nov 2022, 1pm EDT.
Workshop, “What’s Next: How to Get a Job You Actually Want After Graduation,” Graduate Program in American Studies, Rutgers University-Newark, 5 Oct 2022, 2:30pm EDT.
Keynote presentation, “From PhD to Life: How to Decide Your Career Path and Translate Your Degree Into a Job You’ll Love,” PhD Day, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands, 3 Oct 2022, 5:15pm CEST.
Panelist, “PhDs in Entrepreneurship,” organized by Victoria Wobber, 29 Sep 2022, 12pm EDT. Register for this free Zoom event on Eventbrite.
Workshops for the Women in the Business of Health Science Bootcamp, Women in Health Initiative training program, Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO), 14-15 Sep 2022:
- Job Search Strategy and Networking
- Resume Development
- Job Interview Preparation
Workshop, “Leaving Academia? How to Get a Job Without Giving Up What You Love,” Professional Development Day, Jackman Humanities Institute, University of Toronto, 7 Sep 2022, 12:30pm EDT.
Panelist, “Non-Academic Career Paths for Postdocs,” Toronto Metropolitan University, 29 Jun 2022, 1-3pm EDT.
Facilitator, “Making Connections: An EPIC Networking Event,” AGE-WELL Epic Conference, 3 Jun 2022, 12pm EDT. Register: Making Connections meeting registration.
Workshop, “From PhD to Pivot: 4 Steps to Launching Your Non-Academic Career,” Critical Digital Humanities Initiative, University of Toronto, 18 May 2022, 2pm EDT.
Workshop, “From PhD to Life: Getting and Doing Meaningful Work after Your Graduate Degree,” Humanities Center, University of Arkansas, 13 Apr 2022, 12:30pm CDT.
Panelist, “Personal Branding & Networking on LinkedIn for Industry Professionals,” iSTEMCare, 19 Mar 2022, 11am-12:30pm EDT.
Keynote, “Finding Your Place In Graduate School and Beyond,” Peer Beyond Graduate Research Conference, University of Calgary, 23 Feb 2022, 11am MST. Register for the conference here (it’s free and online).
Workshop series for West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, aimed at biomedical sciences PhD students and postdocs, 14 Jan-25 Feb 2022:
- “Prepare for What’s Next In Your Career, Now”
- “Clarify What You Want to Do After Your Doctorate”
- “Identify Great Careers and Job Possibilities for Yourself”
- “Market Yourself for Jobs You Actually Want”
Panelist, “Careers Beyond Academia: Awareness and Planning,” Quality Conversations webinar series, Zoom, 19 Nov 2021, 11am EST. More details on this blog post.
Presentation, “From PhD to Life: What to Do Now to Get Set for What’s Next,” University of Toronto Mississauga, 28 Oct 2021, 2pm EDT.
Facilitator, “Navigating a Career Path Outside the Academy,” panel discussion, EPIC Conference, 9 Jun 2021, 1pm EDT.
Workshop, “How to Find and Get Great Jobs You Actually Want,” Moffitt Cancer Center, 28 May 2021, 2pm EDT.
Workshop, “How to Figure Out Your Next Career Move,” Moffitt Cancer Center, 28 May 2021, 10:30am EDT.
Presentation, “How to Figure Out What Jobs You Want — and Can Get — after Graduate School,” SHIFT Conference, Brock University, 19 May 2021, 11am EDT.
Presentation, “How to Translate Your Graduate Degree Into a Great Job,” Graduate Research Conference, University of New Brunswick, 6 May 2021, 12:15-1:30pm ADT.
Presentation, Council of University Executives Working Group – Graduate Education, 13 April 2021, 2pm EDT.
Presentation, “Preparing for Your Post-Grad Career,” Career Day, Department of Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University, 25 Mar 2021. My talk begins at 11:35am and runs through a full panel Q&A ending at 12:30pm EST.
Panelist, “Overcoming Isolation: PhDs & Loneliness,” Scientistt Spring Event Series, 12 Mar 2021, 12pm EST.
Presentation, “From Graduate School to ??? What to Do Now to Get Set for What’s Next,” Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 11 Mar 2021, 12:30pm EST.
Presentation, “Preparing for Your Post-PhD Career,” Pickering Centre for Research in Human Development, Carleton University, 23 Feb 2021, 9am EST.
Panelist, “Let’s Talk About Money Roundtable,” Labo IV and the CRIR Student Committee, 9 Feb 2021, 11:30am EST.
Presentation, “Transforming Graduate Education into Awesome Post-Pandemic Careers,” 58th Annual Conference, Canadian Association of Graduate Studies, 3 Feb 2021, 12pm EST.
Panelist, “Are we ready for post-PhD careers?” part of the PGR Christmas employability and recognition event, University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School, online, 17 Dec 2020, 11am EST.
Presentation, “Build Relationships to Build Your Career,” Whisperfest 2020, online conference, 23 Nov 2020, 5pm EST. Read the online program and register for my session.
In conversation with Susanna L. Harris (PhD Balance), online, PhD Summit, 18-19 Nov 2020. Use code 10POLK for 10% off registration.
Panelist, “How do I design my personal brand for any career?” Horizons by Hopkins career conference, online, 12 Nov 2020, 9:45am EST.
Online Networking Workshop, S2BN Guelph Chapter, online, 4 Nov 2020, 2pm EST.
Presentation, “Preparing for Non-Academic Career Paths,” online, Department of Philosophy, University of Waterloo, 2 Nov 2020, 4pm EST.
Presentation, “Preparing for Non-Academic Career Paths,” online, Department of Philosophy, McMaster University, 20 Oct 2020, 2:30pm EDT.
Workshop, co-hosted with Meryl Krieger, “Identify Your Professional Superpowers,” Gather Conference, 16 Oct 2020, 3pm EDT.
“Online Networking: Tips and Tricks,” online, part of Postdoctoral Appreciation Week, the Hospital for Sick Children, 6 Oct 2020, 12:30pm EDT.
Host, “How to Flourish during Your Job Search,” facilitated by Brandy Simula, online meeting, 30 Sep 2020, 2pm EDT. Learn more here.
Workshop, “From PhD to …? What to Do Now to Get Set for What’s Next,” online, BC Cancer Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Fellow Society, 15 Sep 2020, 11am PDT.
Workshop, “How to Get a Job You Want,” online, BIOS² mini-conference, 8 Sep 2020, 2pm EDT.
Workshop, “How to Get a Job You Want,” online, the Pink Portfolio / IG Wealth Management, 18 Aug 2020, 6:30pm EDT.
Panelist, part of the Canadian Association for Theatre Research’s Partition/Ensemble 2020 symposium, online, 8 Aug 2020, 6pm EDT.
In conversion with Anna Marie Trester, “Gaining Perspective on Your Career,” part of Career Linguist‘s Employing Linguistics webinar series, Conversations to Chart Your Career, 7 Aug 2020, 5pm EDT.
Panelist, “The Educators’ Exodus to Industry: What to Do When it’s Time to Leave,” online, part of Higher Hire Ed conference, 6 Aug 2020, 1pm EDT. Click the link to watch the recording on YouTube.
Workshop, “How to Get a Job You Want,” webinar, AGE-WELL EPIC conference, 23 June 2020. I gave similar versions of this workshop to the Open Post Academics community on 8 July and Career Linguist‘s community on 15 July. Thank you to all participants!
Keynote presentation, “From PhD to…? How to Pull off a Scary, Liberating, and Ultimately Meaningful Career Transition,” Beyond Academia Conference, University of California, Berkeley, 27 Feb 2020.
Presentation, “Setting Goals and Keeping Them in 2020,” webinar, Beyond the Professoriate, 12 Dec 2019.
Presentation and workshop, “Key Issues Faced by Early Career Researchers and What to Do about Them to Keep Calm, Carry On, and Advance Your Careers,” New Critical Directions in Gambling Studies conference, Université de Sherbrooke, Longueuil, QC, 4 Sep 2019.
Presentation and panel discussant, “Calling for Recognition, Better Funding and Career Training: The Canadian Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Experience,” Research Canada, Ottawa, ON, 5 June 2019.
Presentation, “How to Set Yourself up for Job Search Success on the Non-Faculty Job Market,” webinar, Simon Fraser University Postdoctoral Association, 24 April 2019.
Presentation and conversation, “Your PhD and What Comes After: Lessons Learned on the Journey through and beyond Graduate School,” Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 2 April 2019.
Workshop, “What’s Next? How to Make Good Career Decisions After Your Graduate Degree,” Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, 5 March 2019.
Presentation, “How to Prepare and Launch a Successful Career after Graduate Studies in History,” York University, 31 Jan 2019.
Guest speaker on professional development and PhD careers in graduate course taught by Dr. Nathan C. Hall, McGill University, 3 Dec 2018.
Presentation, “How to Prepare & Launch a Successful Job Search Beyond the Professoriate,” Canadian Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies, Niagara Falls, ON, 12 October 2018.
Presentation, “From Researcher to …? How to Explore Your Options and Plan for Your Career after Graduation,” webinar, CQUniversity Australia, 26 July 2018.
Presentation, with Maren Wood, “Launch Your Non-Faculty Job Search… Tomorrow!” webinar, part of Beyond the Professoriate conference, 5 May 2018.
Various events, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, 26-27 Oct 2017.
Various events, Office of Graduate Studies, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 18-19 Oct 2017.
Workshop, “From PhD to Life: Rethinking Success after Graduate School,” MEOPAR, Montreal, QC, 19 June 2017.
Presentation, “Prepping for an Altac/Postac Career in Grad School,” webinar, with Alexandra Sastre of Ideas on Fire. 25 April 2017 at 1pm ET.
Workshop, “From Graduate School to …? Your Values, Priorities, and Strengths,” The Graduate School, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 17 March 2017.
Presentation, “Crafting A Meaningful Career after Graduate School,” The Graduate School, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 16 March 2017.
Presentation, “Engaged Academics in the Age of Mass Distraction,” webinar, with L. Maren Wood and Michelle Dionne Thompson, 3 March 2017.
Presentation, “How to Start Your Academic Side Business,” webinar, Chronicle Vitae, Wednesday 25 Jan 2017. Watch the archived presentation here.
Presentation and Q&A, “Redefining Success after Graduate School: Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned,” Health Sciences Graduate Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, 27 Sep 2016.
Webinar with Maren Wood, “Maren & Jen’s 7 Tips for Going Beyond the Professoriate,” Chronicle Vitae (online), 22 June 2016.
Workshop, “Exploring Careers Outside of Academia,” CUPE 3902, Unit 5 (Postdoctoral Fellows), University of Toronto, 21 June 2016.
Speaker, with Maren Wood, “PhDs That Work: New Stats, Tough Transitions, Concrete Solutions,” Future of the PhD in the Humanities conference, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, 18 May 2016.
Guest speaker, “How to successfully expand your business,” Toronto Professional Women’s MeetUp, 12 May 2016.
Speaker and facilitator, “The Post-Ac/Alt-Ac Job Market: Finding Work Outside the Academy,” 3-Part Series at Massey College, University of Toronto:
- “Navigating the Ac/Post-ac/Alt-ac Landscape,” 29 Mar 2016.
- “Transitioning into the ‘Real World’,” 12 Apr 2016.
- “Beyond the PhD Round Table Discussion,” 26 Apr 2016.
Q & A in Nathan Vanderford’s class, “Preparing Future Professionals / Preparing Science Professionals,” University of Kentucky, Lexington (via Skype), 7 Apr 2016.
Keynote speaker and facilitator, “Finding Success After Graduate School,” English Graduate Student Association, University of South Florida, Tampa, 2 Apr 2016.
Session facilitator, “Putting the Liberal Arts to Work,” Transitions: Learning Across Borders, Sectors and Silos conference, Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, 24 Mar 2016.
Speaker and facilitator, “Rethinking Success after Graduate School,” Graduate Student Caucus Special Event, NeMLA Convention, Hartford, CT, 19 Mar 2016.
Panelist, “Achieving Success in Non-faculty Careers: Learning to Navigate an Uncertain Job Market,” Crossroads: The Future of Graduate History Education, Drew University, Madison, NJ, 11 Mar 2016.
Panelist, GRADTalks Winter Lecture, Ryerson University, Toronto, 24 Feb 2016.
Keynote speaker, Projections: Making Film Studies Public – Graduate “Un-Colloquium,” Film Studies Association of Canada, Ryerson University, Toronto, 18 Feb 2016.
Speaker and facilitator, “From PhD to Life: Rethinking Success after Graduate School,” Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, 22 Jan 2016.
Speaker and facilitator, “Rethinking Success after Grad School,” Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC (afternoon) and Vancouver (evening), 21 Jan 2016.
Co-host and discussion facilitator, American Historical Association Career Fair, Atlanta, GA, 9 Jan 2016.
Keynote speaker, “From PhD to Life: Rethinking Success after Graduate School,” Optimize Your Graduate Experience and Beyond, Gradlife, University of Toronto, 28 Oct 2015.
Speaker and facilitator, “From PhD to Life,” Faculty of Graduate Studies, York University, Toronto, 22 Sep 2015.
Speaker, “Making a Successful Transition to Academic or Alt-Academic Careers,” Planning Your Post-Graduation Transitions: Academic and Alt-Academic Options, Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education (CSSHE) Graduate Student Preconference, Ottawa, ON, 30 May 2015.
Panelist, “Scholars as Critics,”Bridging Gaps: Higher Education, Media and Society conference,” Centre for Media & Celebrity Studies, Toronto, 27 May 2015.
Panelist, “Mentorship Matters: The Case for Graduate Professional Development,” Career Seminar Series #2, Institute of Medical Science Students’ Association, University of Toronto, 19 May 2015.
Keynote address, “From PhD Candidate to Life Coach: Rethinking Success after Graduate School,” Beyond Academia, University of California, Santa Barbara, 15 May 2015.
Panelist, “Pursuing Alternative Career Paths,” NeMLA 46th Annual Convention, Toronto, 1 May 2015.
Speaker and facilitator, Conversations in Academia, McMaster University, 31 Mar 2015.
Speaker and facilitator, Graduate Sociology Students Association meeting, University of Toronto, 19 Mar 2015.
Panelist, “Imposter Phenomenon 101,” Grad Minds, University of Toronto, 20 Jan 2015.
Panelist, “Opening Doors: Careers for Graduate Students in the Humanities,” School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto, 13 Nov 2014.
Panelist, “Preparing Graduate Students for the World Outside the Academy,” Canadian Association for Graduate Studies 52nd Annual Conference, St. John’s, NL, 28 Oct 2014.
Keynote speaker, “From PhD Candidate to Life Coach: Rethinking Success After Graduate School,” Universities Art Association of Canada / ArtCan, 26 Oct 2014.
Panelist, “Imagining Otherwise: Expanding the Narrative of Academic Success,”Universities Art Association of Canada / ArtCan, 26 Oct 2014.
Panelist, “Managing Stress Throughout the PhD Program,” Versatile PhD Boston (online event), 23 Oct 2014.
Panelist, Queen’s Career Week, talk and Q & A, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, 17 Oct 2014.
Panelist, “The Flexible Graduate Degree in Theory and Practice,” York University, Toronto, 19 Sep 2014.
Panelist, “How to Create An Exit Strategy: Informational Interviews and Networking,” Versatile PhD Boston (online event), 28 Aug 2014.
Panelist, “What Do Researchers Do Next? Hangout on Post-PhD Careers,” Vitae (UK) (Google Hangout on Air), 26 Jun 2014.
Speaker and facilitator, “Next Steps: Figuring out Your Career after Your PhD or Postdoc,” Western University, London, ON, 12 Jun 2014.
Panelist, “Graduate student & PhD professional development panel discussion,” Congress 2014, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, 26 May 2014.
Co-host with Maren Wood, 1st annual “Beyond the Professoriate: A Virtual Conference for PhDs in Career Transition,” 3 and 10 May 2014. I also presented “Networking and Social Media for PhD Job Seekers,” with Maren Wood, 10 May 2014.
Speaker, SHIFT Conference, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, 1 May 2014.
Speaker and facilitator, “Post-Academic Q & A,” Department of History, University of Texas, Arlington (via Skype), 17 Mar 2014.
Speaker and facilitator, “From PhD to Life: Beyond the Tenure Track,” Department of Speech Language Pathology, University of Toronto, 5 Feb 2014.
Co-host with Kim Geil, “Flourishing in Grad School & Beyond,” teleworkshop, 12 Dec 2013.
Panelist, “What are #Altac and #Postac, and How Can a PhD Prepare You for Them?” University of Toronto, Mississauga, 1 May 2013.