Ep. 26: Laura Stef-Praun - PhD in Literature Turned Content Marketing Strategist

Laura’s multipotentialite mother inspired so much in her life: a love of learning, culture, language, and academic achievement. But a few years into her PhD in Victorian literature, Laura doubted that a tenured professorship was within reach. Or that it was the lifestyle she wanted. Thanks to intensive soul-searching and working with a coach, she gained clarity into potential careers, finished her dissertation earlier than the bulk of her cohort, and began her transition to marketing.Between working for a small nonprofit, a large professional services firm, and a few other employers, Laura has become a well-regarded content marketing strategist and ghostwriter for executives. When the pandemic hit, Laura struck out on her own for more flexibility, including time to augment her daughters’ online learning. Laura’s future includes big plans for building a content marketing agency, working abroad for five or six years in Europe, and writing a novel. All ambitions her mother — her mentor — would surely be proud of.Laura’s recommended books for a career switchMindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration--Lessons from The Second City by Kelly Leonard & Tom YortonMade to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan HeathSecrets to Winning at Office Politics by Marie G. McIntyre Workplace Poker: Are You Playing the Game, or Just Getting Played? by Dan Rust The Power of Bad: How the Negativity Effect Rules Us and How We Can Rule It by John Tierney and Roy F. BaumeisterH3 leadership: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle by Brad Lomenick and Mark Burnett Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan CainLaura’s recommended content marketing resourcesContent Marketing Institute Content Marketing Profs LinkedIn Learning Content Marketing CoursesOther resources mentionedThe Versatile PhDMentorCoachWhere to find Laura & Sharp StorylinesLaura on LinkedInCheck out more from The Work SeminarVisit theworkseminar.com or find @TheWorkSeminar on social media. Sign up for The Work Seminar newsletter to receive updates straight to your inbox.Support the show