Scholar Testimonials
"The uncertainty of the academic job market no longer dominates my thinking. I’m still writing, publishing, and applying for positions, but I no longer feel the same internal tug-of-war about my future. Working with Arthur helped me examine the narratives shaping my experience—including my own “theology of uncertainty,” a surprisingly useful prompt for an anthropologist studying religion. The external challenges haven’t disappeared, but I’ve developed a greater capacity to stay with difficult emotions and move forward with steadiness, focus, and direction."
— Cambridge PhD (2023); postdoc
""I worked with Arthur as various transitions – teaching at a new university, diss-to-book and the tenure clock, a new home and being a new parent – brought a sense of overwhelm. Arthur’s frameworks and exercises increased my confidence, acceptance, and initiative in subtle yet transformative ways. I find myself often reflecting on, and practicing, the guidance that Arthur imparted with humor and compassion. Even as he shared on-point wisdom, I felt myself always to be in charge of the coaching's direction."
— Harvard PhD (2017), asst. prof. of history, Rutgers University at Newark
“Arthur helped me navigate a difficult transition at the end of my adjunct appointment and see that the work I most wanted wasn't a fallback plan. I’m now pointed intentionally toward what was for years my passion project: building educational and professional pathways that overcome structural barriers so more people can reach their potential. Seeing that I could build a consulting practice that sustains this work has been amazing. Through our conversations, I clarified my priorities, built momentum, and learned to trust the direction my life was already pointing.”
— Penn PhD (2015); solopreneur consultant
“In my career as a historian, I’ve often had occasion to reflect on how it’s the small things that do the work of changing the world. That pretty much sums up my interactions with Arthur. They mostly focused on small things; but his approach was no fuss, no nonsense, caring, and – in its cumulative effects – utterly transformative.”
- Harvard PhD (2004), assoc. prof. of history, Brown University
"I am truly grateful to have had Arthur as my career and life coach. He was a guiding light during my career exploration. With his support, I found strength and accountability to navigate the challenges of the job search. Arthur's mentorship empowered me to step out of my comfort zone, network with confidence, and excel in interviews. Thanks to his support, I found a job that aligns perfectly with my values, and gained the skills and mindset to thrive in my career. I owe my success to Arthur's exceptional coaching and unwavering belief in me."
- Harvard PhD (2021); Student Services Advisor at UCLA
“Arthur’s sensitivity to the often-traumatic nature of faculty/student interactions brought a level of humanity frequently missing from the doctoral process.”
- Harvard PhD (2021), asst. prof., science and technology studies, Rensselaer Polytech
“Working with Arthur coincided with a lot of uncertainty in my professional life: job searches, immigration questions, professional disappointments, and anguished social unrest. While I was grateful to ultimately secure a tenure-track position, the deeper shift was learning to trust myself as the creator of my professional future, regardless of the outcome of application processes. I came away with a stronger sense of self-trust, a steadier connection to my own values, and a greater ability to move forward even when the future was unclear.”
- University of Miami PhD (2020), asst. prof. of Spanish, St. Olaf College
“Working with Arthur has been a worthwhile investment in my development as a scholar. His guidance on advisor relationships, publication strategy, networking, fellowship opportunities, and long-term career planning helped me navigate the practical decisions that shape an academic career with greater confidence and perspective. Alongside those practical conversations, I also developed a steadier way of approaching the uncertainty that comes with academic life.”
- sixth-year PhD candidate in the humanities, publishing in academic journals and heading into the job market
“Arthur’s office was a judgment-free zone in a program where it felt as though you were being judged all the time. He was a fount of good advice and was also a mentor for gay students.”
— Harvard PhD (2006), assoc. prof. of history, Northwestern Univ.
"“When I started working with Arthur, I was at a low point, struggling to balance my creative projects with freelance work. The resulting self-doubt, frustration, and pressure were spilling into the rest of my life. Arthur helped me work through both the practical and emotional challenges—and without the latter, I don’t know how much my progress would have stuck. Eight months later, I feel calm and purposeful. Arthur has been a compass, pointing me back toward my own intentions amid life’s chaos.”
— McGill MA in Anthro; filmmaker
“I had a non-traditional path to the PhD and am now in my early postdoctoral career. A dissertation committee member referred me to Arthur, who helped me with the challenges of mapping my next career stage. Arthur challenged and encouraged me through insightful analysis and humor based on the tools he found applicable to my circumstances and personality. Most importantly, he was flexible, caring, and patient. He guided me through forming my plan and developing the habits that helped me sort the path ahead.”
— Union Institute and University
PhD (2023), Fulbright Fellow