You may hear this phrase on the outside. Let’s talk about what working out loud is, how you do it, and why it is important.
Working out loud is a way to network and build relationships using social collaboration and narration. The basic idea is to not network with other professionals to get something, but to build relationships to learn new skills or explore a topic. As you learn and explore, you share work with those other professionals, examples of that new skill or topic, and gain visibility that can lead to opportunities and promotions.
Instructional designers encourage working out loud. I have often posted projects on Linkedin (usually my own personal projects, not work work, really, so as not to violate any non-disclosure agreements). The idea is to make your work process public, for hiring managers, yes, but also for other colleagues and professionals. Working out loud isn’t so much about the end goal of getting hired, it’s about being a cordial and knowledgeable colleague.
As a humanities scholar, you may think this sounds idyllic and wonder where the bait and switch is. But I can tell you, people outside of academia are actually this generous. Of course, not everyone, but by and large, people are much more giving of their time and resources. People’s generosity floors me every day. Transitioning out of academia is a bit like coming out of Plato’s cave and squinting in the daylight. It takes a minute to adjust. There are times when I never want to adjust. I never want to take anyone’s generosity for granted.
Generally, in the humanities at least, scholars don’t show their works in progress. Especially with writing, we always read and teach completed works of writing. It’s easy to think people just sit down and all this melodic poetry and prose just flows out of them. When I edited dissertations in all the subjects (biology, mathematics, education, psychology), it’s easy to think “I could write this.” Of course I couldn’t! Writing rarely happens right or well the first time, or the seventh time for that matter.
Whatever new skills or subjects you are learning in your transition, share them on social media or blog. It’s a great way to work out and through your ideas. It’s a great way to meet some fellow travelers. And yes, it’s a great way to get a job.
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