PostDoctoral

Connie has focused on the intersections of computing and democratic life, whether dissertating in German history, developing International Space Station software, or working on projects like NewsFrames at Global Voices (newsframes.globalvoices.org), the New Orleans Research Collaborative (nolaresearch.org), ELMO (election, human rights, and health monitoring at getelmo.org) and most recently serving as Research Community Lead of the Credibility Coalition (credibilitycoalition.org). Connie has previously worked for The Carter Center, Emory University, and The Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University.

In the second half of my conversation with Ben Kinsella, you'll learn about his experience transitioning from a PhD in Spanish linguistics to data science for humanitarian causes.

Enjoy!

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Benjamin Kinsella, PhD, is a project manager and researcher working at the intersection between data science and human centered design. After completing his PhD in Spanish linguistics at Rutgers University, Benjamin now works at DataKind, a global nonprofit that harnesses the power of data science in the service of humanity, bringing together interdisciplinary approaches to help solve humanitarian issues. 

Benjamin Kinsella, PhD, is a project manager and researcher working at the intersection between data science and human centered design. After completing his PhD in Spanish linguistics at Rutgers University, Benjamin now works at DataKind, a global nonprofit that harnesses the power of data science in the service of humanity, bringing together interdisciplinary approaches to help solve humanitarian issues. 

Takeaways from the second half of my conversation with Katina Rogers, author of Putting the Humanities PhD to Work: Thriving in and Beyond the Classroom?

1) Take risks and push boundaries, but with the support of others. 

2) Discover you sense of self and agency as you explore career paths. 

3) Maintain a healthy perspective as you go forth. What grounds you, motivates you, makes you laugh? For whom, or for what, are you baking?

Enjoy! 

Katina Rogers is co-director of the Futures Initiative at the Graduate Center, CUNY, where she guides and mentors graduate fellows, develops programming, and exercises administrative oversight over all aspects of the program. She is also Director of Programs and Administration for HASTAC, the online scholarly network, and co-director of the CUNY Humanities Alliance, a partnership between the Graduate Center and four CUNY community colleges, supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Rogers researches and writes about higher education reform, including scholarly communication practices, professionalization and career development, public scholarship, and advocacy for fair labor policies. Her first book, titled Putting the Humanities PhD to Work: Thriving in and beyond the Classroom, will be published by Duke University Press in August. Rogers holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

That's a wrap on Season 1! Join us as we reflect on the key takeaways of our discussions this season – and what we learned along the way. Thank you for listening!

No one wants to hand out cards at a mixer. It's just a fact! Luckily, there are other forms of networking out there for you to explore – and that will help prepare you for your job search. We turned to Dr. Bedelia Richards to learn more about new ways to think about networking, why it's crucial for students and faculty of color – and how we can all move beyond the dreaded small talk.

A little about our guest:

Bedelia Nicola Richards, PhD is an Associate Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Richmond. She is also the founder of RaceTalk LLC. RaceTalk LLC provides workshops and other consulting services to academics, administrators and student groups on issues related to racial and socioeconomic equity in higher education institutions.

 Dr. Richards received her doctorate in Sociology from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. As a race/ethnicity, immigration and education scholar, she interrogates the role of educational institutions in reproducing institutionalized racism and classism. Consistent with this interest, Dr. Richards has worked in organizations that advocate for underserved and racially minoritized youth in furthering their educational and occupational goals. She has also co-edited a volume, Clearing the Path for first generation college students which focuses on practical and effective approaches for addressing the opportunity gap between first-generation college students and students with college-educated parents.

Dr. Richard’s scholarship also examines inequities in higher education that manifest in the classroom experiences of women faculty and faculty of color. Her goal to produce knowledge that can inform the professional development and mentoring of underrepresented and underserved faculty is reflected in her essay “Faculty Assessment as Tools of Oppression.” Dr. Richards has also published her work in Ethnic & Racial Studies; Sociology of Race and Ethnicity; Social Problems, Black Women, Gender and Families; and International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Dr. Richards is available for consulting with institutions on how to create inclusive and equitable environments on college campuses. She can be reached at [email protected].

There's no more #CubeLife. Only #ZoomLife. Catch up with PostDoctoral as we dip our toes into socially distanced podcasting and commiserate on all things Zoom. 

A PhD can become your whole identity – so who are you if you don't stay on the academic track? It's a dark feeling many of us have faced, but it doesn't last forever. We discuss our experiences and get some insight from Chris Cornthwaite on navigating the darkness.

A little about our guest:

Chris graduated with a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Toronto. After working in public policy for a think tank and for the Canadian government, he created Roostervane to offer career direction to people doing advanced degrees. In January of 2020, he and his wife co-founded Thinkhouse, a Canadian research firm that works for government and private sector clients doing great public policy work and sharing in engaging ways.  Chris lives in Ottawa with his wife and three daughters.

Socially distant does not mean invisible. Now's as good a time as any to start considering your online networking options – and make sure your profile is ready for prime time. Which brings us to LinkedIn, a vital professional tool in the world of nonacademic jobs. We sat down with career coach Rhonda Sarmento to figure it all out. How can PhDs best use the platform to bolster their job search? Find out in this episode.

A little about our guest: 

Rhonda Sarmento is an experienced Career Coach and has worked with clients of all professional and academic backgrounds. She is currently a Career Coach for a major consulting firm, where she provides coaching services to staff interested in transitioning to new roles or industries. Prior to her current role, she was a Career Coach for MBA, Masters and PhD students at both Duke University in Durham, NC and Emory University in Atlanta, GA. With an academic background grounded in the humanities, she has a passion for helping others identify their strengths and transferrable skills and achieve their career goals. Rhonda holds a Masters in Industrial & Organizational Psychology from East Carolina University and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.