The Professor Is In

UPDATED FOR 2026 • The definitive career guide for grad students, adjuncts, post-docs, and anyone else eager to get tenure or turn their PhD into their ideal job—now refreshed with new material to equip readers for today’s job market

“If you want unvarnished straight talk about the academic job market—and how to navigate it—then heed Karen Kelsky, and heed her now.”—Rebecca Schuman, education columnist for Slate

Each year thousands of students earn their PhDs, but only a small percentage land a job. For every tenured professor or well-paid former academic, there are countless underpaid and overworked adjuncts, and many who simply give up in frustration.

Karen Kelsky has made it her mission to help readers solve the mystery of the academic job market. As a former tenured professor and department head, and the creator of the popular and widely respected advice site TheProfessorIsIn, she has helped thousands land their dream careers. With The Professor Is In, Dr. Kelsky has poured all her best advice into a guide that addresses the most important issues facing any PhD, including:

• When, where, and what to publish
• Writing a foolproof grant application
• Cultivating references and crafting the perfect CV
• Acing the job talk and campus interview
• Avoiding the adjunct trap
• Making the leap to nonacademic work when the time is right

The Professor Is In addresses all of these issues—and now it’s been overhauled to arm the latest generation of readers. This revised edition features updates throughout and new candid chapters on the risks of academia, the importance of making it work for you, the need to rethink the search committee, and even the possibility of life outside the Ivory Tower.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs