The Professor Gets On LinkedIn

Are you looking at the shitshow that is the ’21-’22 academic year and saying, no more? Are you just… done? If so, you’re in good company.

Our relatively new, private FB Mutual Support Group, The Professor Is Out, has been around for less than a year, and has already gained almost 5000 members. It’s open to anyone at any stage who is considering a move away from the academy. You can be 10 years out in your post-ac career, or you can be a tenured prof just wondering aloud about options… All are welcome. All members can post at will seeking advice, commiseration, empathy, and ideas. Tons of excellent free advice is shared every single day, and because it’s closely watched by me and an ace admin team, the vibe remains 100% collegial and supportive. I really love it, and I’ve learned so much from the conversations there.

The topic that without question inspires the greatest anxiety is: LinkedIn

Academics who are transitioning out know they need LinkedIn. But they have no idea how to do it. Not only do you have the standard problem of trying to translate an academic background for non-academic readers/employers, but you have to manage a whole new social media account…. and all this in a pandemic (not to mention in continual climate disasters…). In a state of extreme overwhelm, it’s hard to contemplate mastering a whole new lingo and platform.

And then there’s the fact that even academics staying IN the academy should really be on LinkedIn at this point… It’s getting ubiquitous for career building, self-promotion, and branding.

And so… I created a new Professor Is Out LinkedIn Webinar Series! Hosted by experts from our TPIO community, four events over the next two months (3 scheduled, 1 coming soon) walk you through the basics of using LinkedIn to build your post-academic presence. We cover:

The basics of LinkedIn for academics

Translating your academic background for LinkedIn

Using Canva to design your brand and your CV for LinkedIn and beyond

Publishing on LinkedIn to expand your reach.

Each webinar is an hour, with 30 min Q and A, and YES you get the recording afterward, even if you can’t make the live event.

I’m really excited about these event, and I hope you’ll join us! And if you have any LInkedIn queries that you don’t see addressed, just comment on this post to let me know, and I’ll work on scheduling more webinars!

LinkedIn Without Fear: An Intro for Academics

Led by Sonia Michaels

Sept 17 6 PM EST

Academics have a love-hate relationship with LinkedIn–we know we need it, but we don’t have to like it! In this webinar, I will help you get past the overwhelm, understand the essentials of setting up and using LinkedIn effectively, and make the most of the opportunities that it can offer. All with an eye to the challenges of presenting achievements from academia to potential non-academic jobs and employers.

Presenter Bio: Sonia Michaels is a Senior Lecturer at DigiPen Institute of Technology, working at the crossroads of the Humanities and game development education to promote the importance of critical thinking, cultural literacy, diversity, and inclusion across the creative process. Sonia has taught professional communication, English (composition, literature, and science fiction/fantasy), and public speaking for 30+ years, and has also worked extensively as a career coach and admissions consultant.

$25

You’re Not Overqualified, You’re Misunderstood: Translating Academic Value for LinkedIn

Led by Dr. Eric James Stephens

Sept 23 6 PM EST

Are you tired of hearing you’re “overqualified”? Do you get frustrated when folks in industry just don’t get the value you can bring? It’s not just a matter of experience. It’s a matter of how you talk about it. It’s a matter of translation. In this webinar, Dr. Eric James Stephens shares his own experience wading through depression and frustration after getting laid-off from his university teaching job due to COVID and facing an unfamiliar industry job market. He’ll also share actionable steps for engaging on LinkedIn, his motivation behind the #HireHigherEd initiative, and how it landed him a new career as a business data analyst.

Presenter Bio: In spring 2020, Dr. Stephens was laid-off from his university job. That summer, he started #HireHigherEd, an initiative to build an academic community on LinkedIn. Four months later, he was talking to a CEO of an edtech company who openly doubted hiring PhD’s. Three days later he offered Eric a job. Five months later he got a promotion. Now Eric helps others to do the same because that’s why we are here–that’s why we exist–to help others.

$25

Creating Materials with Canva: Developing a Consistent Brand for LinkedIn and Beyond

Led by Dr. Karla Mastracchio

October 14, 6 PM EST

Do you struggle to advertise your courses or speaking engagements? Do you wonder how to create a visually consistent brand for your post-academic resume and LinkedIn page, but don’t know where to start? In this webinar, Karla Mastracchio, PhD, will show you how to create materials using Canva! Join us as we create a graphic in real time!You’ll leave with basics of Canva design and a LinkedIn ready resume style.

Make sure you sign up for a free Canva account before you attend and you can create a graphic along with our host. Bring questions, ideas and curiosity along and get ready to have an informative and fun time!

Bio: Dr. Karla Mastracchio is the Professor of Informational Advantage and Strategic Influence at Joint Special Operations University and an award-winning communication strategist. She lives on the island of Oahu with her family and is an avid true crime enthusiast.

$25

Self-Promotion at its Finest: Maximize Your Professional Presence with LinkedIn Publishing

Led by Randi Howell Sain

October 28, 6 PM EST

Is LinkedIn just another social media outlet for you? Have you considered how you can maximize LinkedIn for job hunting, resource sharing, publication, and a bit of shameless self-promotion? In this webinar, Randi Howell, MA will show how to leverage academic writing skills for LinkedIn publishing. By publishing content on LinkedIn, you can open doors, create sharable resources, and increase your network. Join us as we discuss how to maximize and diversify your LinkedIn presence with LinkedIn publishing, posting, and hashtagging. Bring questions and insights as we explore how to maximize your professional presence!

Presenter Bio: Still in academia, Randi Howell works full-time to support more than 800 faculty members transition from tech-terrified to tech-savvy. Howell serves as Vice President of Safe’N’Clear, Inc, an ADA-accessible surgical facemask company that promotes clear and inclusive communication. In her role at Safe’N’Clear, Howell works with the CEO and Marketing team to publish digital content across social media platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Howell is passionate about transforming lives whether through education or inclusive communication to upscale one’s performance.