In this episode of Academics and Their Money, Paulina Cossette shares her journey from political science professor to successful business owner and coach for academics seeking life beyond academia.

Raised by a single mother with financial instability, Paulina pursued higher education believing academia would provide long-term security. Instead, she discovered a reality many academics face: limited salary growth, geographic constraints, and a workload that often spills into nights and weekends. After years of burnout, especially following the birth of her son, she made the difficult decision to leave academia in 2019.

Paulina began freelancing as an academic copy editor, eventually scaling her business to six figures by learning how to market herself and attract private clients. Along the way, her mindset around money evolved significantly, from scarcity-driven frugality to understanding the value of investing in herself, her business, and her time.

Now, she helps other academics transition into entrepreneurship through coaching and her program, Becoming an Academic Editor. She shares candid advice for those considering leaving academia, emphasizing the importance of exploring options, seeking guidance, and defining what you want your life to look like before deciding on your next career move.

This episode dives into the financial realities of academia, the emotional weight of burnout, and the practical steps to build a more flexible, fulfilling, and financially scalable career outside traditional academic paths.

Paulina created her program, Becoming an Academic Editor or Coach, because she believes that every educator deserves to have the life they were promised—one with a flexible schedule, a comfortable income, and the ability to do the work we love. You can connect with Paulina on LinkedIn or get access to her podcast at AcadiaEditing.com/BecomeAnEditor.

Paulina S. Cossette, PhD

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I help academics build flexible, fulfilling businesses using their existing training and expertise.

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In this episode of Academics and Their Money, hosts Neeka Miremadi and Inga Timmerman talk with Pieter De Jong, who shares his unconventional journey from physical therapist to finance professor. Pieter reflects on growing up poor in the Netherlands, moving to the U.S. with nothing, and pursuing an MBA and PhD while raising a family, all driven by a deep desire for freedom and security.

He discusses what money has meant to him (“freedom, not happiness”), the lessons he learned about investing, and what shocked him most about academia. From navigating politics and inefficiency in faculty meetings to learning how to negotiate for research resources instead of salary, Pieter’s insights are both blunt and refreshingly candid.

The conversation also dives into emotional realities: retirement, identity, and what truly matters beyond professional success. As Pieter puts it, the goal isn’t to be remembered as a great professor but as “a good father and a good husband.”

“Money is not a piece of paper in your purse. It’s your life. It’s your youth. It’s your precious hours that you gave away to earn that money. Spend it wisely.”

What if money isn’t just currency but the very time and energy of your life, especially when you’re navigating the unique challenges of an academic career?

Sam Hosseini, a biomedical engineering professor turned entrepreneur, shares how reframing money as a tool for freedom and choice reshaped her journey from tenure-track academia to building her own impactful business supporting scholars worldwide.

In this episode, we discuss:

·       The realities of academic pay and the courage it takes to ask for more

·       How saying no to a “dream” faculty role opened doors to new opportunities

·       The self-education habits and entrepreneurial mindset that became her competitive edge

·       Why investing in herself felt daunting and why she’d do it again without hesitation

We also explore:
📍 Redefining financial security beyond faculty salaries and grants
📚 Money mindset shifts that make negotiating, career pivots, and life choices easier

🎧 If you’re an academic curious about how to take control of your financial life and career path, this episode is for you. Listen wherever you enjoy your podcasts!

More about Sam:

Dr. Samira Hosseini is the founder of the Autonomous Academic Accelerator, a program that helps ambitious academics go from struggling with publishing papers in top journals, limited visibility, and poor citation records to building a solid research trajectory and high H-index, gaining recognition and reputation, and positioning themselves as authorities in their disciplines.

See the program here: www.samirahosseini.com 

Sam’s mentor’s program is called the Authority Accelerator. Here’s Sam’s referral link, in case you’re interested in joining:

https://authorityio.referralrock.com/l/SAMIRAHOSS74