Helping you communicate
your strengths and vision
Christopher L. Caterine
Chris connects the dots between mission, message, and market so you can convey your vision and value more effectively.
Approaching diverse challenges with the eye of a communications strategist, Chris has helped deliver $100M+ consulting proposals, restructured non-profit operations, and led small business development efforts. His writing has been featured in outlets such as Inside Higher Ed and Research Professional News – and he has spoken on finding post-PhD career success at institutions such as Princeton, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford. His book, Leaving Academia: A Practical Guide, was published by Princeton University Press in 2020.
Chris currently lives in New Orleans with his wife Mallory, their son Caleb, and their cat Li’l Easy.
Select experience
- Lead proposal manager and strategic writer for a global consulting firm
- Author and speaker focused on diverse career outcomes for PhDs
- Board director for Nyansa Classical Community, an educational non-profit
- Visiting Assistant Professor of Classical Studies at Tulane University
- Chair of the Contingent Faculty Committee for the Society for Classical Studies
- Alumni admissions interviewer for Georgetown University
Book
Leaving Academia:
A Practical Guide
Princeton University Press (2020)
“The most pragmatic advice for alt-ac job searchers yet.” Interfolio Team
“The first academia-adjacent advice book I’ve ever read… that is blunt in the way that I always try to be, and that I feel is ethically required,” Karen Kelsky, The Professor is In
“I recommend this book unreservedly to any PhD graduate contemplating the move out of academia but not sure where to begin,” Inger Mewburn, The Thesis Whisperer
“The reams of practical, actionable advice that Caterine packs into every chapter of this guide are underpinned by his compelling story of personal reinvention,” Chris Humphrey, Jobs on Toast
“A great read for both early-stage PhD students who might want to prepare a Plan B and more seasoned academics considering working in non-academic roles.” Eryk Walczak, The LSE Review of Books
Articles
Lost in Translation
Inside Higher Ed
The importance of learning the lingo of jobs outside academe,
PhDs seeking jobs beyond academe
Inside Higher Ed
Is it wise for colleges to spend so much time and money to help PhDs who’ve trained for one career step into another?
‘Leaving Academia’
Inside Higher Ed
Author discusses his book on how to leave an academic career. He provides advice based on his own experience.
A virtual guide to Leaving Academia
Princeton University Press Ideas
Guidance on changing careers during COVID-19, serving in part as a “pandemic preface” to Leaving Academia
Mass Exodus
Inside Higher Ed
Point of view on how the COVID-19 crisis stands to drive more PhDs from academia than any event in living memory, and where they can go for help
Overcoming the identity crisis
Beyond the Professoriate Blog
Discussion of how your core desires won’t change just because you’re leaving academia for a new career.
Si Credere Velis
Arethusa
Academic article on Lucan’s Cato and the reader of the Bellum Civile. My only regret is starting with the word “Despite.”
Speaking
Chris is proud to be an inaugural member of the PUP Speaks program. He is available to deliver keynotes and workshops about Leaving Academia. His engagements have spanned private and public institutions, professional societies, and PhD career service companies in the US and abroad.
Use the contact form below to inquire about event scheduling. Chris or his speaking rep can usually reply within two business days.
Keynotes
For conferences and stand-alone events, Chris’s most popular topic is informational interviews. Talks run 45 minutes with a recommended 30 minute open Q&A.
Past clients include Princeton, Stanford, Duke, and Nordicom.
Workshops
Chris offers interactive short courses on overcoming the psychological challenge of leaving academia and translating experience for non-academic audiences. Workshops run about two hours.
Past clients include Boston University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Humanities Beyond the Academy.
Leaving academia is hard, all the more so with a humanities degree… Chris has forged a a great deal of wisdom negotiating this transition and I was fortunate that he shared it with me… His insights into how to approach informational interviews and how to evaluate an opportunity were also tremendously valuable. I definitely recommend that any academic considering an alternative career get in touch with Chris!
Goda Thangada
Recorded events
Chris has spoken in a number of public forums to advocate for academics pursuing more diverse career outcomes.
- 9/21: Personal Finance for PhDs
- 3/21: The Professor Is In
- 1/21: New Books Network
- 12/20: Versatile PhD
- 11/20: Roostervane
- 10/20: Johns Hopkins’ PHutures
- 9/20: ChangeHireEd
- 8/20: The Thesis Whisperer
Chris mentored and advised me regarding career development as I was transitioning from graduate school to an “alt-ac” career. His advice was always practical, detailed, and thoughtful, and I gained much from our conversations. He was able to provide encouragement, leads on specific companies to look into, as well as ideas on how to develop my “brand” and make my experiences relevant to employers. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for advice and support in pursuing a new career.
Elina Salminen
Connect
To hear the latest news about Christopher L. Caterine, including his book Leaving Academia: A Practical Guide (2020, Princeton University Press), enter your email below.
You can also connect with Chris on social media or via the contact form below.
Christopher L. Caterine 