Episode 22: Navigating Graduate School with Purpose: Key Strategies for Success with Dr. Justin Grimes

Welcome back to another insightful episode of the Published and Paid Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Justin Grimes, CEO of Apply to Graduate School and a member of our Published and Paid Mastermind. Dr. Grimes shares his incredible journey from a PhD student to a full-time entrepreneur dedicated to making graduate education more accessible and equitable. He opens up about his personal and professional challenges, including writing his book during a difficult time in his life, and the mindset shifts that propelled him toward success.

We dive deep into the importance of having a clear purpose and goal before pursuing graduate education, the common mistakes that aspiring students make, and the steps you need to take to ensure your education aligns with your life. Whether you’re considering going back to school or need some inspiration to pursue your dreams, this episode is packed with valuable advice that you won’t want to miss.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Dr. Justin Grimes’ inspiring story of turning personal challenges into professional success
Key factors to consider before applying to graduate school
How to avoid common pitfalls like “defaulting” to school without a plan
The importance of having a clear goal and making your education fit into your life
Practical steps to take when pursuing higher education or a new entrepreneurial venture

Quotes:

"Your why is what will sustain you to the end of this process." — Dr. Justin Grimes
"If you’re out of control in life, this might not be the move for you." — Dr. Justin Grimes
"School will not circumvent life’s challenges; life is going to happen regardless." — Dr. Justin Grimes

Resources and Links:

BOOK: Purchase a copy of Published and Paid: Write, Self Publish, and Launch Your Nonfiction Book in 90 Days or Less > https://a.co/d/95ckzMx

LIVE EVENT: Published and Paid LIVE: October 11-12, 2024, Atlanta, GA:

Virtual tickets available! www.publishedandpaidlive.com

COMMUNITY: Published and Paid: The Community (Facebook Group) www.facebook.com/groups/publishedandpaidfree

Jasmine Womack, M.Ed, EdS

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thejasminewomack

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FB: facebook.com/authorjasminewomack

Youtube: youtube.com/thejasminewomack

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Episode Transcript

Episode 22: Navigating Graduate School with Purpose: Key Strategies for Success with Dr. Justin Grimes

Jasmine Womack: Welcome back to another episode of The Published and Paid Podcast, where we talk about all things publishing your intellectual property through thought leadership books, courses, coaching programs, signature talks, leadership development, and life lessons. My name is Jasmine Womack, and I am excited to be here today. Today, we have a very special guest, Dr. Justin Grimes, CEO of Apply to Graduate School and an amazing member of our Published and Paid Mastermind. Hey, Dr. Grimes, welcome to the virtual stage.

Dr. Justin Grimes: Thank you so much. I'm glad to be here today.

Jasmine Womack: Please introduce yourself to all of our listeners. Let us know who you are, what you do.

Dr. Justin Grimes: Absolutely. Dr. Justin Grimes here, owner, speaker, and author of Apply to Graduate School. I am the author of Twenty Questions to Answer Before You Apply to Graduate School, which is a step-by-step guide to getting admitted into graduate school successfully. At Apply to Graduate School, our mission is to make graduate education more equitable and accessible for all people. We do that through workshops, speaking engagements, and soon - courses, and many other resources to help people make informed decisions before applying.

Jasmine Womack: I absolutely love it. How did you get into this field? Because it's not every day that I meet professionals who help others get into grad school. How did you start?

Dr. Justin Grimes: While doing my PhD at the University of Georgia, I took a motivation class, which led me to research student motivation. My research focused on what factors influence individuals, particularly Black men, to pursue graduate education. This led to my career in graduate education, where I met many individuals interested in grad school but didn't understand the process. I wanted to help people make informed decisions about this significant life step, ensuring it fits into their lives and goals.

Jasmine Womack: That is so insightful. I see many people defaulting to school when their businesses aren’t growing fast enough. What would you say to those who go back to school without a clear plan?

Dr. Justin Grimes: School will not circumvent life's challenges. If you use school to avoid responsibilities or life challenges, it will reveal those avoidance patterns quickly. I encourage people to consider their goals and how school fits into their lives. If it's just a default decision, it may not be the right move.

Jasmine Womack: That’s a powerful point. You wrote a book based on your research and experiences. Tell us about your writing journey.

Dr. Justin Grimes: Academic writing and book writing are different. I started by freewriting, outlining what I knew, and conducting research. I wrote my book during a difficult time: my mother was diagnosed with stage four thyroid cancer, and my father had just passed away. Despite these challenges, writing became an outlet and a way to create something meaningful.

Jasmine Womack: You shared so much there, and I appreciate your vulnerability. After publishing your book, what happened next?

Dr. Justin Grimes: I published my book in September 2021 and started a new job, but quickly realized it wasn’t what I wanted. After my daughter was born in January 2022, I decided not to return to work. I had some contracts sustaining me, and I felt called to try something different. With support from my wife and a lot of prayer, I made the leap into full-time entrepreneurship.

Jasmine Womack: That’s an incredible journey of faith and perseverance. Since joining our Mastermind, how has your mindset shifted?

Dr. Justin Grimes: Initially, I struggled with waiting for instructions and feeling intimidated. But I realized I needed to dive into the content and be proactive. Now, my calendar is booked, and I have more confidence. I’ve learned to structure my business for success, and I’m no longer just trying things out randomly.

Jasmine Womack: You’ve come so far. What advice would you give to our listeners about pursuing their goals?

Dr. Justin Grimes: Be committed to your goals, give yourself grace, and exercise faith. Your attitude determines your direction, so stay focused and believe in yourself.

Jasmine Womack: Thank you so much for sharing your journey, Dr. Grimes. Where can people find you and your book?

Dr. Justin Grimes: You can find me at applytograduateschool.com, on Instagram @iamjgrimes, and on YouTube @applytograduateschool. I’m happy to connect and help guide you on your journey.

Jasmine Womack: Awesome. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Grimes. And thank you all for tuning in to another episode of Published and Paid Podcast. Make sure to like, share, leave a review, and subscribe. Until next time, peace, love, and impact.

Episode 22: Navigating Graduate School with Purpose: Key Strategies for Success with Dr. Justin Grimes

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