After a brief hiatus – I’m back to working on the After Your PhD website.

If you didn’t know already, I’m Ryan Collins (PhD), the founder of After Your PhD. I wanted to become a film studies professor. However, reality soon set in and I pivoted into a new career path (SEO) after finishing my PhD at Indiana University Bloomington in 2020-2021.

The goal of After Your PhD is to be something more than describing my personal experiences, but being a resource hub for academics forging a new path somewhere else.

Why the Hiatus?

The previous website went through some technical issues with the content management system, but I am slowly moving content back on the main site. Outside of technical issues, I was working a stressful job and I was recently back on the job market. Fortunately, I found a new role recently as a SEO Strategist and I’m feeling much better mentally. The site is not competely finished, and I don’t think it ever will, but there is much more progress in the last week than the recent months.

What I Learned

• Don’t rush things, make something that will last.
• The website is never finished, but also becoming.
• If you can set something aside and come back to it later, that’s a good sign.
• You can’t help others if you don’t help yourself.

Is After Your PhD Monetized?

That’s something I’ve been wavering on.

Currently, I feel the best way to not charge academics directly is to partner with brands/companies that want to help academics pivot into new careers. That typically would entail working with a brand to promote a product that aligns with my followers interests – like a UX course for example.

New Site Look

The After Your PhD website has gone through a few iterations…

The website overall is aiming to more professional and more pleasing to the eye.

Check the home page and compare the screenshot below and you’ll see why.

Any UI advice is welcome.

Thanks again for the support!

– Ryan