Business Owner Call You to Prioritize Your Needs

Name: Luna Munoz (she/her)

PhD: Applied Developmental Psychology, University of New Orleans, 2005

What was your main area of research?

I came from an applied program where I consulted with schools, state public health, and judges in juvenile court to understand how to assess mental health needs, create better services and make decisions based on evidence.

I did longitudinal research with families to understand individual and contextual factors related to increases in aggression over time. My PhD and postdoc were very heavy in modeling, coding, and advanced statistics.

What is your current job?

I am a Business Consultant/Academic Career Coach + Founder of Luna Leadership based in the United Kingdom.

I do training for local businesses, universities and charities, academic coaching for universities and for individuals looking to pivot or find balance and healing, and I conduct full-scale evaluations such as gap analyses, impact evaluations, and skills gaps for the government. I also facilitate families' understanding of supporting their children as well as deliver workshops on neuroscience and emotions for young people.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love the freedom and flexibility! I'd been laid off in 2021, and it also coincided with my child's diagnosis of autism and my own ADHD symptoms as well as menopause. I wanted a job that would prioritize living and being there for my kid.

What is the most important skill you developed or experience you had during your PhD that now helps you in your current position?

How to influence/ negotiate which I learned from my supervisor's contracts that I worked on in my PhD.

I also designed my supervisor's website which has helped in creating an e-commerce package. I also participated in capoeira during my PhD, and I'm now working closely with Capoeira for All - a charity helping young Black and minority youth with transitioning to adulthood - changing lives through movement.

Finally, being in a multicultural city and being Latina/Caribbean, I realized I wanted to live somewhere where my experiences would be valued - my business consultation has now expanded to invitations to provide services to The Race Equality Hub.

How did you build the skills necessary for your current role?

I took marketing courses, acceptance and commitment courses, facilitation courses for being a better trainer, and business coaching sessions over the last 2 years.

I learned how to create a sustainable business.

I've also taken classes on Reiki to become better at holding space for my clients since many have experience of oppression.

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?

I created it!

PhD ➡️ Postdoc ➡️ Assistant Prof ➡️ Associate Prof ➡️ Researcher in STEM Decolonization ➡️ Business Owner

If someone is interested in a similar role, what would you recommend they start doing now to prepare?

1. Networking! I had to get comfortable telling people what I do/what I wanted to do.

   
   

2. Be strategic with taking courses as you likely have skills for success already.

   
   

3. Try out a LinkedIn learning on your university's plan if they allow you to take courses on LinkedIn.

Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?

I did pursue an academic career, but I was pushed out.

What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

Prioritize your needs while doing a PhD. If you want other experiences, build them into your PhD training. Build in your boundaries early so you're not acquiescing to others.