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.
His capacity for rapid learning and facility for communication have led to a varied career. At turns, Chris has written proposals for $100M+ consulting projects, redesigned the operating model for a small non-profit, and taught Roman history. He is also recognized as an expert in helping academics find new careers.
Chris has written for outlets such as Inside Higher Ed and Research Professional News; has spoken at institutions such as Duke, Johns Hopkins, and Princeton; and has been quoted in Nature Careers and Inside Higher Ed. His book, Leaving Academia: A Practical Guide, was published by Princeton University Press in 2020.
A proud dilettante and ashamed-to-admit-it hipster, Chris’s hobbies have included brewing beer, roasting coffee, and making his own bread. He currently lives in New Orleans with his wife Mallory, their son Caleb, and their cat Li’l Easy.
Select experience
- Proposal writer for a global consulting firm, specializing in strategic opportunities
- Author and speaker focused on diverse career outcomes for PhDs
- Board director for the 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)
“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
“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
Articles
Life after academia
Research Professional News
Advice for researchers taking their first steps on a new career path.
‘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.”
Services
Speaking
Bring the possibilities of what your students can do with their PhD to life. I’m available to speak about leaving academia in dedicated talks, for networking round tables, and on conference panels.
Coaching
Accelerate your path to a new career with personalized advice and check-ins for added accountability. Billing is hourly, with discounts when you commit to five or more sessions.
Workshops
Cement learning from short courses with practical exercises. Available to facilitate sessions on networking, translating CVs to résumés, building supportive departments, and teaching transferable skills in graduate seminars.
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.
- Interview, New Books Network.
- Interview and Q&A, Versatile PhD.
- Interview and Q&A, Roostervane.
- Interview and Q&A, Johns Hopkins’ PHutures Program.
- Interview, ChangeHireEd.
- Review and author interview, 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
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