It’s a different conversation, of course, how long those “friendships” last. But there’s no doubt that specializing in a specific solution builds references and reputation much faster than just being a jack (or jill) of all trades…

Before I started my new job I negotiated for them to provide money for the move. It covered about two-thirds the cost of the move. I also got about a 4.5% raise from my previous position, but it seems closer to 20% due to the difference in cost of living between the old and new cities.

I agree with the statement that being a Subject Matter Expert pays well.

As a graduate student, you can earn money by demonstrating in undergrad lab sessions, marking exam questions, exam invigilating, reviewing and marking coursework and being experimented on!

But becoming an expert isn’t easy. I had to pay my dues accruing a couple of advanced degrees. But at the end of all that dues paying I’ve got a job that pays well and that I enjoy working at.

One of the best techniques I have found is to share experiences with people as they develop.

If you are a painter show the the results of your latest projects, eventually people’s interest grow as they see what you are doing and think about what you could do for them.

1) Teaching is the lowest compensated part of the job – people who only teach, i.e. adjuncts and instructors, often don’t make a living wage, or make half or less compare to what tenure track professors make. “Research” is the thing that gets you paid a decent salary, so teaching is undervalued in the market: many people either care about it deeply and sacrifice potential for greater pay or advancement in order to spend extra hours preparing, advising, and otherwise being a great teacher, whereas others with strong research careers often do the absolute minimum.

2) Professors, and even graduate students, review and edit books for free. It’s time consuming but it’s considered “service” to the field and “professional advancement,” so experts volunteer their time, while publishers make money off of licensing and distribution.

3) Homeschool curricula – for some reason writing for pre-college audiences is not “respectable,” although I don’t understand why there is such a big divide in how you teach and write for 15 year olds vs 18 year olds.

This current grad student thanks you for the reminder that these ARE marketable skills though, and that doing them well deserves compensation. It’s no wonder that people think professors are overpaid, when they too undervalue these really time consuming aspects of their own work. I’m already taking advantage of continuing education opportunities (it provided over 10% of my income last year, and hopefully will this year too), and will be on the lookout for other possible ways of generating income.

This is a great article on a book by Cal Newport about the benefits of specialization: http://www.wandering-scientist.com/2012/10/cal-newports-so-good-they-cant-ignore.html

I’m not sure if it’s the same in the U.S., but these workshops are offered through the “continuing education” or “professional development” departments. Might be a good place to start

I think we need to ask ourselves “is this really worth it?” Sometimes the answer has less to do with money than other goals like experience and networking. Sometimes the opportunities aren’t worth it and there are better things we could be doing. IMHO, being mindful about good value when we’re earning money is just as important as being mindful about how we spend it.