Hi! My name is Irina. I am the founder of the phd whisperer and a PhD myself.
Every day I help professionals just like you to reach their full potential, achieve top performance, and lead fulfilling lives in alignment with who they truly are. By providing a judgment-free & safe space, I can guide you to:
I also partner with organizations to train the next generation of international PhD leaders and innovators with excellent people skills and the ability to compete in the global arena.
The best practices to achieve maximum results
Deep insight into human behavior and emotions
Cultural intelligence to amplify impact
Understanding others for connection and trust
Safe space to celebrate differences as superpowers
Pushing boundaries to ignite positive change
… I can say that Irina changed my life in a very positive way. She guided me to understand my behavioral patterns, to not lose myself to bad thoughts, and mostly, how can I search in me what I want for my life.
Now, I feel more prepared to face challenges and changes. It was an experience with great self-learning and growth, not only at a professional level but also at a personal one. For this reason, I recommend it to anyone interested in coaching.
Together, Irina & I discussed what are my real motivations, and how can I distinguish them from “false” motivations and reasonings (that emerge from negative thoughts and unconfidence).
What I value in her approach is the combination of personal and professional considerations. Therefore, the meetings had both therapeutic aspects considering my emotional drives and fears; when at the same time, the sessions were very much practical and aim-driven, therefore with specified outputs and results for each session.
A big extra for me is her past experience as a scientist in academia, which made it easier for me to communicate my stress and doubts, but also to state aims, as this is her familiar zone and jargon. [the full version is under “Testimonial”]
No matter how confused I was about an interview or an important meeting regarding my career, Irina was the person I would seek help from. She has the knowledge of how to organize your own thoughts in your mind. Consequently, you will end up after talking with Irina knowing more about yourself and what you want to achieve. Even when I thought I am prepared for the interview or meeting, conversations with Irina would make me think about the situation in different ways and hence empower me to be more prepared and confident. I learned a lot from her, lifelong organizational techniques, that I will never forget.
Irina helped me to realize where I failed in my previous job. She showed me how important time management skills, settings attainable goals, and being held accountable would be in my future career. I was able to get a job that suits me more because I have learned to prioritize myself. Thank you, Irina.
With Irina’s guidance and motivation, I have discovered my own strengths and learned how to leverage them in my work, career transition, and even personal lives. Thanks to Irina’s advice, I have successfully transitioned into the big wide world a.k.a industry, and her advice continues to keep me motivated every day. Her workshops on communications, career planning, CV writing, and most importantly, strength discovery helped prepare me for the challenges of transitioning into industry and at my current job. She is a kind, insightful, and empathetic mentor who listens to your needs and guides you to your individual path in a strategic way. You will definitely be enlightened whenever you speak with her.
…Every single conversation with Irina had a big lesson to learn, a challenge to accomplish, and the motivation to work on it. When I think of our first meeting, I see that many good decisions I took along these years were guided by her. Not only I gathered the means, but more importantly, the confidence to pursue my goals. I strongly recommend anyone to book a meeting with her and profit from her excellent guidance.
5 % of the PhD Whisperer’s income help to fund effective altruism initiatives, the evidence-based way to create the most impact in the world.
You shouldn’t take a job you really don’t want (Inside Higher Ed, April 2022)
The Enemy of Any Job Search (Inside Higher Ed, Nov 2021)
How to avoid cognitive shortcuts that can thwart a successful job search (Inside Higher Ed, June 2021)
The academic identity: lost and found (LinkedIn, March 2021)
The value of empathy in career success (Inside Higher Ed, February 2021)
Advice for international graduate students who come to study in the U.S. (Co-Authored, Inside Higher Ed, October 2020)
What Russian winters taught me about career search in uncertain times (LinkedIn, May 2020)
Would like to know me better?
Check out my very personal blog: “a life as a sabbatical” project (currently in re-design)