The Work Seminar Jesse Butts

And once again, a semester of The Work Seminar comes to an end. We’ll return with Season 4 after the break. 
In the meantime, here’s hoping you’ve learned as much from these conversations as we have. See you back here in 2023. 

Don’t be a stranger in between seasons
Send your questions, thoughts on the show, and guest suggestions to jesse@theworkseminar.com. 
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Zakiya's debut book Dump Your Degree is a practical guide for thinking beyond academic credentials as you pursue a new career. And she’s followed her own advice, transitioning from the professoriate (with a PhD in religious education) to full-time author.
We delve into her methodology through a step-by-step example of:
considering different work after or during grad schoolreflecting on and discovering your natural interests, unique talents, and in-depth knowledgetranslating these abilities into relevant full-time, freelance, and self-employment roles networking and creating content to highlight your expertise and create your own opportunitiesLike many guests have said before, it’s always easier to update your résumé and indiscriminately apply to jobs. But the success rate and job satisfaction of Zakiya’s playbook is much higher, particularly for the liberal arts crowd.    
Where to find Zakiya and her book
Dump Your Degree by Zakiya Akerele 
ZakiyaAkerele.com
Zakiya on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook


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Judith finished grad school with a passion for increasing student retention. As she spent more time — and moved up the ladder — in higher ed administration, she became equally committed to expanding access.
And she did, indeed, make retention and access top priorities in positions across student affairs, development, and international education. But what appeared to be a perfect career progression on paper was not in practice. 
That’s when Judith, for the first time, looked beyond the ivory tower for work. Within a few years in finance, she had the opportunity to transfer to investment banking, where she now relishes the quick pace of change and ability to solve complex problems. 
Had she not taken the time to question what she valued in her work, Judith may have never considered if careers outside of higher ed could be a better fit.
Books & other resources mentioned
What Should I Do with My Life? by Po Bronson
The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
Life map resources
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A self-branded writer/poet, Austin relished the opportunity to hone his creative skills in grad school. And he was open to divergent work after graduation.
Just as he found his footing as a copywriter and social media strategist at a small marketing agency, the Great Recession reared its head, ending his gig six months after he started. 
And that marked Austin’s last full-time job.  
The freelancing he began during a rough economy morphed into entrepreneurship.  Now Austin splits his time between writing, consulting, and building Freelance Cake, where he passes along the lessons he’s learned to land better clients (more pay, less drama) and strategic marketing projects. 
His time in grad school — particularly those poetry workshops — instilled a love for the economy of words, which he’s reflected in his copywriting and content ever since. 
**Please forgive my poor audio. A couple technical difficulties popped up that I’ve hammered out for future episodes.”** 
Books mentioned
Let Your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer
Give and Take by Adam Grant
Range by David Epstein 
Where to find Austin & Freelance Cake
Austin on LinkedIn and Twitter
AustinLChurch.com 
FreelanceCake.com 
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Jackie held down six (six!) part-time jobs after grad school. But a couple years into her first full-time gig, her art and career hit a lull. 
That’s when she started devoting her commute time to learning everything she could about digital marketing. In relatively short order, she secured a full-time marketing position at a small agency. And she started focusing on her art in the early mornings, soon joining a shared studio space where she could better create and showcase her abstract and geometric art.
Now she helps fellow artists hone their craft and balance their practice with the Level Up Artists podcast and her online course, all while flourishing as a marketer. 
By focusing on processes she could incorporate into her life — and not abiding by the unwritten rules of how artists and scholars should live and work — Jackie has found a day job that informs her artwork, and vice versa.
Book mentioned
The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss 
Where to find Jackie, Level Up Artists, & Jackie’s art work
JaclynSanders.com and Jackie on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook
Level Up Artists podcast
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Jesan pivoted from student affairs leadership to entrepreneurship in a novel fashion: He started with revisiting his grad school curriculum. 

After combing through the syllabi from his master’s program, Jesan thought, “I could take that topic and turn it into a product.” And so he did, marketing his conflict resolution and reconciliation skills to business audiences willing to pay for them.
From his early solopreneur days of consulting and speaking engagements to founding HSCT Publishing, creating training programs, writing books, and hosting podcasts, Jesan centers his businesses on the idea of intentional leadership. 
And it’s in no small part thanks to capitalizing on his MA work, adjuncting, and previous career in higher ed. 
Jesan’s books & podcast
12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership
My Boss Doesn't Care: 100 Essays on Disrupting Your Work By Disrupting Your Boss
Marketing for Peace Builders: How to Market Your Value to a World in Conflict
Leadership Lessons from the Great Books podcast
Where to find Jesan & HSCT Publishing
Jesan on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram
HSCT’s website and HSCT LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram profiles
The Leadership Toolbox website
The Leading Keys platform
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