academic life – PhD in Clothes

The Academic Conference / Extended Vacation Summer Packing List!

So you’ve been invited to a work conference in an exciting locale–the type of city or country that makes you think about staying for a while after conference presentations are over. But what to pack, and what to wear, especially for hot weather? How to fit business casual clothing and beachwear into the same suitcase? I’m currently in this conundrum so let’s figure it out together. Plus, I made you a packing list you can print!

What I would wear on the academic job market now

Hi friends! Every once in a while I get the “what should I wear to an academic interview campus visit” question. I thought we could use a 2022 update, especially as more visits are virtual and more of us are dressing casually. So here are a few items I would suggest and where I would shop for them if you are going on a professor job interview!

How do you celebrate yourself?

I’ve recently come to the understanding that I am pretty bad at celebrating professional accomplishments. Academic life is a long stream of asking “are we there yet” about your research, so I believe it’s important to schedule some stop points for joy. Which leads me to ask: How do you celebrate yourself??

Writing daily FAQ: “How do you know what to write every day?”

Hi friends! I am starting a little series of follow ups to my “how I write everyday” post because I get some questions about how writing daily works for me. Today, let’s talk about the dreaded moment where you sit down to stare at the blank word document: How do you know what to write every day.

How I became a person who writes every day

Up until six months ago, I was stuck in a writing pattern: avoid, avoid, avoid, SO MUCH GUILT WRITE FOR 4 HOURS, avoid, avoid, avoid… This boom and bust cycle sort of worked for me. Or it did until the rubber hit the road and I had a job offer contingent on finishing my (only half done!!!) dissertation in 3 months. That’s when I decided to change my habits….