The New Academic Year: Reboot Your Personal Brand Now

Late August/September always feels more like a new year than January. A fresh academic calendar awaits, campuses buzz with energy, and for many of us it’s a natural time to reset and think ahead. This year, I want to challenge you to reboot your personal brand and career strategy for the next 12 months now.

Why? Because in career terms, it’s enough time to make meaningful progress—whether that means preparing your tenure application and submission, stepping into a leadership role, publishing that long-awaited book, or shaping a reputation that opens doors across academia and beyond.

The best way to get there? Reverse-engineering. Let’s break it down.

1. Start with Your Academic End Game

Ask yourself: Where do I want to be standing this time next year

• Do you see yourself with a new title on your office door?

• Do you imagine being recognised as a thought leader in your field?

• Or perhaps stepping into a cross-sector role where your expertise has broader impact?

Define what “I’ve made it” looks like in concrete, personal terms. Write it down. Name it. Own it.

2. Work Backwards to Today

Now that you know where you want to be, reverse-engineer it:

• What skills, visibility, and networks will you need to get there?

• Which opportunities should you be saying yes to this year—and which ones politely declining?

• Who do you need to meet, collaborate with, or learn from in the next 12 months?

A simple trick: find a job description, funding call, or fellowship announcement that excites you—even if it feels a stretch. Use it as your “north star” to identify what gaps you need to close.

3. Make 2025–26 Your Launch Pad

This academic year isn’t just about surviving teaching loads, marking, or working group delivery. It’s about making measurable moves toward that 2027 vision. Break it down into manageable steps:

• One visibility action per month (a conference talk, a LinkedIn article, or media piece).

• One connection per week (a coffee chat, mentor conversation, or outreach email).

• One personal brand upgrade per semester (refreshing your bio, rethinking your digital footprint, or booking professional coaching).

The big picture comes together through consistent small steps.

4. Why Personal Brand Matters More Than Ever

In 2025, the lines between academia, industry, and society are blurrier than ever. A strong personal brand is no longer optional—it’s how opportunities find you. Whether that’s your next research grant, fellowship, collaboration, or keynote invitation, your reputation works harder than you can.

Ready to Reboot?

This year, I’m working with universities and research institutes to deliver keynote sessions and sponsored coaching programmes designed specifically for academics who want to:

• Position themselves as visible thought leaders.

• Build influence inside and outside their institutions.

• Future-proof their careers for 2027 and beyond.

  
  

Many of our clients have their coaching funded by their university.

👉 Action step for today: Write down one sentence that completes this phrase:“By Summer '26, personal and professional success will look like this…”

That’s your starting point. Now let’s reverse-engineer the rest together.