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Think Forward
Academic Mentorship
Tracy Wharton, PhD, MSc, MSW, MEd, LICSW
Do you need help to make decisions, plan, strategize, or remember your "why"?
I guide academics and adult students who are trying to navigate the unspoken rules.
Work through the pros and cons of big decisions
Define your academic identity and clarify your career goals
Produce excellent writing for your proposals and papers
Create good boundaries and workable strategies
Structure a lasting support system
Let me help you figure out what works for you, strategize sustainable approaches, and set up systems that will continue to support you in the years to come. You don't have to figure out the unwritten rules alone.
Let's think forward together!
Are you an academic who is...
Early career on the tenure track or a doctoral candidate on the job market who needs help with your CV and research statements?
An overwhelmed tenure track faculty member trying to prioritize your own research and writing and having trouble deciding what to say yes to?
A nonconforming identity professional who wonders whether you can succeed in the academic environment without losing your soul?
Trying to understand the implicit expectations of academia?
Struggling to get your paper published, overwhelmed by grantwriting, or confused about how to respond to reviewers?
Staring at a manuscript for too long and struggling to get it over the finish line?
Trying to balance what you want to do with what is asked of you?
Are you an adult student who is...
Looking at going back to college and trying to decide which degree is the right one for you?
Trying to navigate college learning (or applications!) and wondering if you are crazy for trying this?
A professional or a student who wonders how people find mentors that help open doors?
Trying to navigate grad school or manage the pressure of school when you have a family and a job?
or
Has your mentor failed you, turned out to be an "anti-mentor," or fallen off the planet?
I get it.
Trying to figure out where you fit. You CAN play the game without losing your integrity or identity.
Academia has hierarchy, norms, and lots of traditions. I have been a grad student, postdoc, misfit, caregiver, and faculty at 5 universities both in the US and UK. I made it through competitive fellowships, found my place in both medical schools and humanities colleges, rose to leadership positions, published my papers, got my grants, and flew through tenure. I have traveled around the world, provided support in a wide range of contexts (with and without translators!), learned to explain to my family why school took all my focus, and struggled to keep connections with those that I love along the way. I had "mentors" who exploited my work and undermined my confidence- I call these the "anti-mentors." I also had great mentors along the way who shared the tips and tricks for making it happen.
Let me help YOU by supporting you on your journey and helping to make it work.
How does this work??
In an exploratory call, we will talk about what's going on for you, what your goals and intentions are, and whether I'm the right person to help you. No pressure, no commitment. Let's just talk.
If we agree that working together will move you forward in the right direction, I will create a plan and work agreement for how we will work together, with a timeline and cost agreement.
We will step forward into identifying how to move towards your goals, orienting your big-picture intentions, discuss what feel like the challenges or obstacles, and map out the steps to take.
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