The Post-PhD Journey: Adopting an Entrepreneurial Mindset

Adopting an "entrepreneurial mindset" became a key part of my post-PhD strategy after graduating in 2010 with a PhD in Irish literature and critical theory. While searching for academic jobs, I launched ‘Ryan Consultancy’, running academic writing workshops for PhD students at various universities.

One of those universities initially offered me a part-time contract, which eventually led to a full-time academic position. This approach proved to be an innovative way to achieve career success while maintaining greater control over my professional path.

I wanted to keep my career options open—using my academic business as a stepping stone to secure a full-time role or focusing entirely on expanding it. Instead of accepting the widespread belief that securing an academic job was nearly impossible, I took proactive steps that dramatically increased my chances of success.

Starting a business turned out to be the highest form of networking. During that period, I gained invaluable skills that continued to benefit me even after securing a full-time academic position. I encouraged many PhDs, anxious about their future, to consider a similar approach.

By 2018, with years of experience refining my academic & business skills, I realized I had something valuable to offer the PhD community. A clear gap existed in wellbeing programmes for PhD students, who were not receiving adequate support at the time.

Having navigated the PhD journey myself, I understood the stresses involved and (as a PhD student) had developed a unique academic writing method designed to reduce anxiety in the writing process itself.

The timing of launching Scriptor Cube proved fortunate, as it was just before COVID-19. This global emergency allowed me to support PhD students worldwide during an especially challenging period.

My workshops provided a space where they could work on dissertation chapters using my structured method in a relaxed, positive environment filled with encouragement, humor, and meaningful engagement.

Since then, I have delivered these workshops to thousands of PhD researchers across the globe, helping to instill confidence and positivity in their academic journeys.

Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset transformed my academic career. For any PhD researcher seeking greater career control and opportunities, I would encourage them to take a similar approach.