Leaving Academia: Becoming a Freelance Editor14 Nov 2024

Combining Work and Play: A Unique Type of Freelance Editing

Today’s podcast guest, Lea Popielinski, PhD, shares her journey from academia to an unexpected editing role–with a twist.

Lea earned her PhD in Women’s Studies from Ohio State and began her career in academia by copy editing dissertations for other graduate students. She then transitioned to full-time freelance editing and, through a surprising opportunity, found a job that combines her academic skills with a hobby she discovered in grad school.

In this episode, we cover:

✅ The types of academic editing and how to get started as a freelancer: Learn from Lea’s hands-on experience about breaking into freelance editing, even without formal certification.

✅ Why leaving academia doesn’t mean leaving your skills behind: Hear how Lea leveraged her background in research and copy editing to thrive in a new field.

✅ Overcoming the challenges of freelancing: Lea reveals the practical steps she took to find her place outside academia, including how she developed the skills and confidence to succeed in freelance and full-time roles.

If you’re a PhD considering a career switch, an academic editor, or simply curious about unique editing roles, this conversation will inspire you to open up to new possibilities.

And if you want to start your own freelance journey, check out my free video series on academic editing and coaching: https://AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor

Enjoyed this episode? Please give me a five-star rating and let me know how the show has helped you by leaving a review!

Links mentioned in this episode:

Geeks Who Drink:

https://www.geekswhodrink.com/

https://www.facebook.com/geekswhodrink

https://www.instagram.com/geekswhodrink

Editing Groups:

Academic Editors: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1679310092297801

Editors’ Association of Earth: https://www.facebook.com/groups/442424952497363

Connect with Lea:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lea-popielinski-41a80b57/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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