Some of my coaching is aimed squarely at those of us with experience – current or previous – in or around academia, with a particular focus on Art and Humanities, including the Creative Arts.
Art and Humanities
Arts and Humanities are often dismissed in the wider media conversation as ‘useless’ and ‘can’t get you a job.’ But this is nonsense. People with Arts and Humanities degrees have all kinds of jobs. Some of them even work as editors of the same newspapers that print the articles saying how useless the A&H degree is. Consider this discourse as being what it is, clickbait.
The Arts and Humanities degree is what you make of it. At its best, it should teach you to think critically and teach you how to learn.
Sciences and Social Sciences
Until quite recently, the Arts and Sciences were not considered to be in opposition. The current notion that art and science have nothing to say to each other is a very new idea and runs contrary to everything we know about the evolution and development of human knowledge. So ‘arty’ people don’t get educated in the sciences, and scientists don’t get educated in the arts. This is sad and unfortunate. But it does not mean that you cannot take sept to change your own life. I always recommend that arts and humanities practitioners at least read the history of math and science and watch documentaries and YouTube videos from high-quality sources to keep up with developments.
For scientists and social scientists, engineers and business people, Creative Coaching can offer a new approach to decision making, life-choices and reinvigorating your approach to your work and career. Though I cannot help you with the specifics of your role, I can help you to explore new ways to view it and alternative ways to plan your next steps.
Who benefits from Academic Creative Coaching?
Perhaps you are thinking of doing a higher degree (MA, MFA, Phd?) and you need help with your application and choices.
Maybe you have done a degree and are trying to figure out what you learned from it, besides the subject you studied.
It could be that you just want to talk it over with someone who has no vested interest in you enrolling on a university course.
Lastly, it’s not unreasonable for you to feel you could use some extra, expert, objective help in navigating through your degree, especially at the dissertation-writing stage.
Post-Academics
Perhaps you’re looking to get past academia and figure out what you can do besides academic work. I am speaking from experience here!
I cannot tell you what to do, but I can help you to find out what you might choose to do.
I have some specific exercises for post-academics and an in-depth programme of exercises and coaching. This programme is designed to map the different skills and strengths of the researcher in Arts and Humanities. I created it for myself to get me through the PhD process and beyond, and I want to share it with those who need it.
Many of my exercises are inspired by the VITAE Researcher Development Framework as well as by the research I conducted during my Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector PGCert.