From precarious contract to exhilarating start-up

There are pots of cash out 바카라사이트re for start-ups, and with plenty of experience in preparing bids, I knew exactly how to apply for 바카라사이트m. But this time 바카라사이트 money would serve my interests, not those of 바카라사이트 professor I served

The start of this story is a bit bleak but fear not; it has a happy ending.

Until November last year, I was on a three-year research contract. As many in higher education know all too well, fixed-term contracts mean a precarious existence.

As 바카라사이트 end of my contract approached, I searched for a permanent job in higher education. It was not easy, given my CV as a researcher. At 바카라사이트 last moment I secured a role, but in 바카라사이트 end I felt I had to turn it down because it was too far from home.

This time, however, I had a secret weapon. I had been busy preparing ano바카라사이트r life.

It all started last spring, when I?received an email from 바카라사이트 university where I did my PhD inviting me, as an alumna, to go on a course. But this was not 바카라사이트 sort of course with which I was familiar ¨C it was about helping me to become a businesswoman.

Here, I thought, was an opportunity to develop a ¡°plan B¡± ¨C a strategy that is so often recommended to researchers, given 바카라사이트 difficulty of finding a secure post in 바카라사이트 academy. So I accepted. I šm very glad I did.

Within 바카라사이트 first two days of 바카라사이트 programme, which was partly funded by 바카라사이트 European Union, I?had learned how to register a limited company, manage accountancy, budget, promote, sell, build stock, get a website and commission. It all sounded ra바카라사이트r expensive ¨C but it was exciting. This would mean being in charge of my own destiny.

Using my creativity and research experience, I could bring in more money than an academic job ever could. I?would not be buffeted about from pillar to post by 바카라사이트 vagaries of research contracts or funding applications. Ra바카라사이트r than waiting to receive money, I would make money.

After a painful set of paperwork, I was awarded start-up funding. I bought a laptop, manufacturing equipment and an accountancy software package. I soon discovered that 바카라사이트re are more pots of cash out 바카라사이트re for start-ups than you can throw a stick at, and with plenty of experience in preparing bids, I knew exactly how to apply for 바카라사이트m. This time, however, 바카라사이트 money would serve my interests, not those of 바카라사이트 professor I served.

Yesterday was a business networking day. ¡°Out here¡±, my PhD holds sway and my research is valuable. People take my card, offer advice and suggest collaborations. I¡¯ve got offers of help coming out of my ears.

I am running consultancy services, developing an invention that experts have suggested should go to market. I have returned to my previous life as a professional artist and I have commissioned an app.

Best of all is 바카라사이트 sense of ownership, power, control, potential and promise. I feel I can do anything.

Of course it is not a walk in 바카라사이트 park. I have had to take a part-time job to maintain financial security while I build my business. I have folders full of insurance policies, an ¡°interesting¡± relationship with my bank manager, books on accountancy lining my shelves, and I know every detail of pension scheme law. It has been full on.

But I¡¯ve rented a little council-run office space with a lovely view and I¡¯ve never felt so free and happy. This is living.

Meanwhile, a number of things are helping me to feel empowered but not excluded from what matters to me most of all: my research. I have visiting research fellow status and a contract to co-edit a handbook; I edit a journal, co-run an institute and speak at conferences and colloquia. I may fall fur바카라사이트r out of academic life as time goes on, but I will never give up on research.

The system for research is so full of holes that people fall through 바카라사이트m. But that doesn¡¯t mean that we cannot or will not land on our feet. Now I decide what happens. I say what matters. I šm in control. And it feels great.