The Professor is In, 2nd Edition (Karen Kelsky)

Help The Second Edition Come Out This Fall!

By Karen Kelsky | July 1, 2025

PLEASE READ: 2nd Edition Book News and Promotion

I just got word that the second edition of The Professor Is In book – orig. planned for September – might be *delayed*!

It can’t ship out until we sell the extra inventory of the 1st edition that is still on hand at Amazon, Random House, and other sellers (about 2000 copies).

I REALLY want the second edition to come out Fall 2025 in time for its 10th anniversary, so I’m running a special promotion!

If you buy 100 (new) copies of the first edition (ie, the one that’s on sale now at Amazon, Random House, etc.) I will do a FREE 1 hour virtual talk for your department or program on any aspect of the academic or post-academic job search, grant writing, book proposals, or any other topic in my repertoire.

If you buy 200 new copies, I’ll do a full 1.5 hour virtual talk!

//Rest assured, the actual job search advice content is virtually unchanged between the two editions! So the first edition remains 100% effective for anyone seeking an academic job in 2025. (For reference, the big difference in the second ed., is in the wider contextualization of this advice – deteriorating conditions of academic labor, attacks on tenure and DEI, considerations for marginalized job seekers around issues of disability, gay and trans identity, BIPOC identity, and mental illness and neurodivergency, making the decision to leave, and above all, prioritizing your personal health and well-being). The one chapter of advice that has been entirely rewritten is the one on “What to Wear”, and I’m happy to send along pdfs of that chapter to anyone who participates in this promotion and wants the updated fashion advice!//

But wait, there’s more! 🙂

If you buy 50 books, I will do a 30 minute Q & A with your class or program.

If you buy 25, I’ll give you a discounted rate for a virtual or in person talk.

And if you buy 1 to 10 copies, send me the receipt (at gettenure@gmail.com) and I’ll put you in a drawing for a free suite of services – editing your job or grant documents, doing a zoom consultation with me, etc. – worth $500! You will get as many entries as copies you buy, up to 10.

Of course, if you’re a Dean or Provost and want to buy 1000+ copies for all the grad students in your college … well, DM me and let’s talk! I’d be glad to reciprocate in some big way that benefits your program.

Thanks, and please share widely! I hope together we can get this done!

Filed Under: Academic Job Search, Alt-University Critique, Marginalized Voices, Mental Health and Academia, Post-Ac Job Search

Older (Desperate) Folks Targeted for Online Robocolleges

In recent years, the profile of student loan borrowers in the United States has shifted dramatically. While student debt is often associated with young adults entering the workforce, a rapidly growing number of older Americans—those aged 50 and above—are carrying significant student loan balances, revealing a troubling new dimension of the nation’s student debt crisis.

As of mid-2025, approximately 7.8 million Americans aged 50 and older hold federal student loan debt, representing about 6% of adults in this age group. Many have borrowed not only for their own education but also to finance their children’s or grandchildren’s schooling. Others have returned to college later in life, seeking new skills or credentials to remain competitive. Yet, these borrowers often face unique challenges that have been exacerbated by the rise of so-called “robocolleges.”

Robocolleges are online institutions that aggressively market to older adults, promising flexible schedules and quick credentials that can lead to better job prospects. However, many of these institutions have come under scrutiny for their low graduation rates, high tuition costs, and poor outcomes for students. Unlike traditional colleges, robocolleges often rely heavily on automated systems and minimal personal support, leaving vulnerable older learners with little guidance about loan obligations or realistic career prospects.

These institutions have played a significant role in trapping many older Americans in unsustainable debt. Borrowers are lured by the promise of upward mobility but frequently end up with degrees that hold limited value in the labor market. The high cost of attendance combined with aggressive recruitment tactics has led many to accumulate tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt with few prospects for repayment.

Among older borrowers—6.2 million between 50 and 61 years old, and 2.8 million aged 62 or older—the average federal student loan balance for the 50–61 cohort is around $47,000, the highest among all age groups. Around 8% are delinquent on their loans, with median delinquent balances near $11,500. For those over 62, approximately 452,000 are in default and face the threat of Social Security benefit garnishment, though recent government actions have temporarily paused such garnishments.

The debt explosion among older Americans has been dramatic: over the past two decades, the number of borrowers aged 60 and above has increased sixfold, with total debt rising nearly twentyfold. Robocolleges, with their predatory recruitment and inadequate educational outcomes, are a central piece of this puzzle, helping to drive up borrowing without delivering commensurate value.

This growing crisis underscores the urgent need for policy reforms tailored to the realities faced by older borrowers. There must be greater transparency and accountability from robocolleges, stronger consumer protections, and expanded debt relief options that reflect the challenges of late-in-life borrowing. Additionally, educational counseling and financial literacy support designed specifically for older students are crucial.

The student debt crisis in America is no longer only about young adults trying to start their careers—it increasingly jeopardizes the financial security and dignity of older generations. As robocolleges continue to trap vulnerable older learners in cycles of debt, the urgency for reform becomes even clearer.

The Higher Education Inquirer will continue to investigate and report on this evolving crisis, amplifying the voices of those caught in the crosshairs of an expanding student debt epidemic.

Caring for the Planet: Walk More, Buy Less

In a world of climate crisis, student debt, and endless consumption, there’s a quiet revolution available to young people: walk more, buy less. It sounds simple—because it is—but the impact can be profound.

Most college students and recent grads don’t need to be reminded about environmental collapse. You've grown up amid wildfires, extreme weather, and warnings about rising seas. But while corporations and billionaires pump out pollution and plastic, you’re often told that the burden to fix things falls on your shoulders. You recycle. You switch off lights. You carry a tote bag. Still, it doesn’t feel like enough.

That’s because systemic change is slow and hard. But two actions—walking and not shopping—have the power to disrupt entire systems of waste and exploitation.

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Walking Is a Radical Act

In car-dominated societies like the U.S., walking is often dismissed as inconvenient or inefficient. But for those who can safely walk, it is an act of environmental resistance. Cars consume fossil fuels, require destructive mining for materials, and spew emissions into the air. Even electric vehicles rely on rare earth metals, large batteries, and energy grids that still burn coal and gas.

Every mile you walk instead of drive avoids carbon pollution. Every pair of shoes worn out instead of tires is a win. Walking also builds local awareness. You notice what’s happening on your streets—who’s struggling, who’s thriving, which spaces are neglected, and where nature is still hanging on. You become part of your community rather than just passing through it.

Walking saves money, improves health, and takes power away from oil companies and car-dependent infrastructure. That’s not just healthy—it’s revolutionary.

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Buying Less: Anti-Consumerism as Climate Action

You’ve probably heard the phrase “vote with your wallet.” But what if not spending is the more powerful vote?

Our entire economy is built around constant consumption. Fast fashion, tech upgrades, cheap furniture, endless online shopping—this isn’t just bad for your bank account. It’s bad for the planet. Every product you buy took raw materials, labor (often exploited), and energy to produce, ship, and store. The less we consume, the less destruction we support.

Here’s the thing: corporations want you to feel like you’re missing out if you don’t buy the newest thing. Social media and marketing are built to trigger that FOMO. But refusing to participate—living simply, creatively, and consciously—is one of the boldest stands you can take.

You don’t have to live like a monk. But delaying gratification, fixing what you already own, swapping clothes with friends, using the library, and just sitting with your discomfort instead of numbing it with shopping—these are environmental acts. They’re also acts of freedom.

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Why This Matters for Students and Grads

As a young person, you’re probably juggling rent, school loans, gig jobs, and anxiety about the future. You may feel powerless. But walking and cutting back on shopping are low-cost, high-impact moves. They don’t require wealth. They don’t require perfection. They’re daily choices that build awareness and build community.

By walking and refusing overconsumption, you model an alternative future—one not built on endless growth, but on balance, care, and intentional living.

These small acts won’t fix everything. But they will help you live in closer alignment with your values. And they send a clear message: We’re not buying the lies anymore.

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Final Thought

Caring for the environment isn’t about being perfect. It’s about shifting culture. It’s about resisting a system that treats the Earth—and our lives—as disposable.

So walk when you can. Buy less than you think you need. Look around. Notice what matters. And know that in these small acts, you’re part of something bigger.

Your steps count. Your refusal counts. Your care counts.

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Higher Education Inquirer is committed to radical truth-telling and student advocacy in an era of climate chaos and corporate capture.

Labor Notes

 

IN THIS ISSUE: Philadelphia Municipal Workers Strike Before July 4 Celebrations LISTEN: Labor Notes Podcast—How to Win a Strong Contract Social Justice Artists: Apply for an Anne Feeney Hellraiser Grant Reactions to the GOP Budget Legislation UPCOMING EVENTS Workshop: Winning a Strong Contract Parts I & II: July 7 & 14 Who Has the Power? A Mapping Tool to Build our Movement: July 16 Webinar: Building Power Through Coordinated Bargaining and Contract Alignment: July 21 Stewards’ Workshop: Build a Steward Network: July 23 Secrets of a Successful Organizer: Sept. 8, 15, 22 North Carolina Troublemakers School: Sept. 20 Milwaukee Troublemakers School: Oct. 4 Philadelphia Municipal Workers Strike Before July 4 Celebrations by Paul Prescod Nine thousand blue-collar workers who make Philadelphia run went on strike July 1. After sacrificing through the pandemic and years of bruising inflation, they say they’re on strike so they can afford to live in the city they serve. Already, uncollected garbage is piling up as the workers, members of AFSCME District Council 33, defend their strike lines. SHOW FULL ARTICLE LISTEN: Labor Notes Podcast—"How to Win a Strong Contract" by Labor Notes Staff What's the secret of winning a strong contract? Hint: You won't find it at the negotiations table! In our "Winning a Strong Contract" workshop series, we talk about how we can build power away from the table to win our demands in bargaining.   Labor Notes Organizer Lisa Xu joins pod co-hosts Danielle Smith and Natascha Elena Ulhmann for an overview of the workshop, including concepts like the campaign mountain and campaign power spiral. SHOW EPISODE You can also listen to The Labor Notes Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and on our YouTube channel. Please rate and review our podcast wherever you listen! "Winning a Strong Contract Parts I & II" will be running the next two Mondays (July 7 and July 14th), and you can sign up at labornotes.org/events. Social Justice Artists: Apply for an Anne Feeney Hellraiser Grant by Natascha Elena Uhlmann Friends and family of legendary folk musician and “hellraiser” Anne Feeney have come together to announce a new round of grants for artists “on the frontlines of the fight against fascism.” The Anne Feeney Hellraiser Memorial Fund will provide three grants of up to $1,000 for emerging artists of any discipline who create art in support of social movements for justice. LEARN MORE AND APPLY Reactions to the GOP Budget Legislation  Economic Policy Institute president Heidi Shierholz denounces passage of GOP budget bill:  The Republican budget will gut Medicaid, slash food aid for families, and shutter rural hospitals—just to give tax breaks that will go overwhelmingly to the wealthy. It is a staggering upward redistribution of income. The bill also turbocharges an authoritarian-style immigration regime—funding internment camps, mass surveillance, and waves of deportations that will kill millions of jobs. SHOW FULL EPI STATEMENT North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) President Sean McGarvey issued the following statement on the Senate Republican Proposed Budget Bill:  If enacted, this stands to be the biggest job-killing bill in the history of this country. Simply put, it is the equivalent of terminating more than 1,000 Keystone XL pipeline projects. In some cases, it worsens the already harmful trajectory of the House-passed language, threatening an estimated 1.75 million construction jobs and over 3 billion work hours, which translates to $148 billion in lost annual wages and benefits. SHOW FULL NABTU STATEMENT Upcoming Events Visit labornotes.org/events for updates. Nobody will be turned away from a Labor Notes event, virtual or in-person, for lack of funds—if the registration fee is a barrier, email us. Workshop: Winning a Strong Contract Parts I & II We will cover the basics of building a Contract Action Team (CAT), putting together an escalating campaign (potentially culminating in a strike), and dynamics between the bargaining committee, CAT, and the membership. When: Mondays, July 7 & 14 Time: 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. PT Where: This is an online workshop and will be held via Zoom. Registration fee $15 - Regular Registration REGISTER HERE Prerequisites for this workshop: We strongly encourage workshop participants to also first attend our upcoming "Secrets of a Successful Organizer" workshop series in June.  Who Has the Power? A Mapping Tool to Build our Movement This workshop will teach skills to analyze power in the present moment to strategically build the workers movement we need. We’ll be joined by labor educator Stephanie Luce. This is an advanced workshop for those organizers who are already part of a union or other worker organizations. When: Wednesday, July 16 Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern (4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific) Where: This is an online workshop and will be held via Zoom. Registration fee $10 - Regular Registration REGISTER HERE Webinar: Building Power Through Coordinated Bargaining and Contract Alignment Join us for a discussion about how unions are coordinating bargaining and even aligning their contracts to maximize leverage in negotiations. We'll also discuss takeaways for workers seeking to align contracts leading up to the UAW's call for unified action on May Day 2028. When: Monday July 21 Time: 7 p.m. to 8:30 pm ET Registration: $10 This panel will feature: - Francisco Ortiz, the president of United Teachers Richmond in California - Jane Fox, a unit chair in UAW Local 2325, the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys - Chris Spurlock, a steward in Teamsters Local 135 at Zenith Logistics, a third-party operator for Kroger REGISTER HERE Stewards’ Workshop: Build a Steward Network Stewards are the backbone of the union! Learn how to build a strong stewards structure that helps workers use their power in the workplace to effectively fight the boss. When: Wednesday, July 23 Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern (4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific) Where: This is an online workshop and will be held via Zoom. Registration fee $10 - Regular registration REGISTER HERE Secrets of a Successful Organizer  Secrets of a Successful Organizer is Labor Notes' core organizing training, in three sessions full of lively participatory exercises. We welcome first-timers and repeat attendees looking to sharpen their skills. These workshops are based on our widely acclaimed book Secrets of a Successful Organizer. These trainings will be held via Zoom. When: Mondays, September 8, 15 and 22 Time: 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Eastern / 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pacific Cost: $15 for the whole series. Includes access to all three sessions. REGISTER HERE North Carolina Troublemakers School Join labor activists from around North Carolina—and the whole region—to strategize, share skills, and learn how to organize to win. Whether you're new to unions or are an experienced union activist, there's something there for you. We encourage local unions to send a group of members. Date: September 20 Time: 10 am - 5 pm Location: Jordan High School, 6806 Garrett Rd., Durham, NC Registration fee $35 - Regular registration $15 - Low-income registration  REGISTER HERE   Milwaukee Troublemakers School Bringing together union members, labor activists, and local officers, a Labor Notes Troublemakers School is a space for building solidarity, and sharing successes, strategy, and inspiration. It’s a real shot in the arm for newbies and seasoned activists alike. When: 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025 Where: Steamfitters Local 601 3300 S 103rd Street Milwaukee, WI 53227 Registration fee $30 - Regular registration $15 - Low-income registration  REGISTER HERE Event We Recommend: UALE 2025 Women's Southern Summer School At the Southern Summer School, women workers come together to learn about labor and leadership development, experience labor history and culture, and share stories. Contact Amanda Pacheco with questions at amanda_pacheco@ibew.org. When: Thursday, July 31 to Sunday, Aug. 3 Where: Port Authority 200 Port Authority Way, Charleston, SC Registration Price: $230 REGISTER HERE KEEP IN TOUCH! Subscribe to receive our monthly magazine ($30 a year).  Order a bundle subscription of five copies a month ($50 a year) or more to give out to your stewards and co-workers. Keep the organizing going. Donate to Labor Notes. Help us keep on reporting and organizing. Make a one-time donation or become a monthly donor at labornotes.org/donate. Write for Labor Notes. When you discover a good tactic, share the news! Thousands of readers in other workplaces can put the information to use. Email editors@labornotes.org. Visit the Labor Notes Store for books, knit caps, hoodies, T-shirts and more! Check it out at labornotes.org/store.

Journalist Karen Hao on Sam Altman, OpenAI & the "Quasi-Religious" Push for Artificial Intelligence (Democracy Now!)

 

Layoffs at UPS and Microsoft Highlight Economic Shifts and Technological Upheaval

This week brought sobering news for American workers as both United Parcel Service (UPS) and Microsoft announced significant job cuts, signaling deeper transformations in the logistics and tech industries. These developments reflect a broader shift toward automation, artificial intelligence, and corporate restructuring—at the expense of labor stability.

At UPS, up to 20,000 jobs are on the chopping block as the company executes what it calls a “network reconfiguration.” The company is closing 73 U.S. facilities as it pulls back from overreliance on Amazon deliveries and responds to declining package volumes. Instead of abrupt firings, UPS has begun offering voluntary buyout packages to its full-time drivers. These packages include pension and health benefits, but the move has drawn sharp criticism from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Union leadership argues that the company is violating the spirit, if not the letter, of its national contract, which mandates the creation of 22,500 new union jobs.

The company's restructuring comes amid ongoing automation in shipping and warehousing, rising costs, and global economic instability. Earlier this year, UPS closed major hubs in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin—moves that signal a long-term realignment in how the company manages logistics. Some analysts see this as the largest transformation of UPS’s infrastructure in decades, one designed to cut costs and compete more aggressively with Amazon and FedEx. But the timing, just months after a much-publicized contract negotiation with the Teamsters, has many workers feeling blindsided.

While UPS sheds labor in the physical world, Microsoft is doing the same in the digital. This week, the company confirmed it will cut approximately 9,000 employees—about 4 percent of its global workforce—as it pivots even more aggressively into artificial intelligence. The layoffs affect sales, marketing, and engineering divisions, but some of the most significant cuts came from the Xbox gaming division. Entire studios have been shuttered, including The Initiative, and long-anticipated projects such as the “Perfect Dark” reboot and Rare’s Everwild have been quietly canceled.

Microsoft leadership has said the cuts are intended to reduce management layers and “streamline for innovation,” but internally, the mood is grim. One executive was criticized for suggesting that laid-off staff should use Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT to deal with the emotional fallout and rewrite their résumés. The post was quickly deleted, but it underscores the growing disconnect between executive leadership and a fatigued workforce. The tech giant is reportedly spending close to $80 billion on AI infrastructure this fiscal year, and workers are feeling the cost.

This is not the first round of layoffs at Microsoft in 2025. The company had previously let go of thousands of employees in January and March as it accelerated AI hiring and scaled down non-essential departments. Workers in online forums and internal Slack groups have expressed confusion and frustration over repeated restructuring that often comes with little transparency or warning.

These two major corporate announcements offer a powerful case study in the forces reshaping the modern economy. At UPS, the pressure comes from changing consumer behavior, automation, and strained labor-management relations. At Microsoft, it’s about replacing human capital with machine learning and making deep structural changes to chase higher profits in an AI-first world. In both cases, the workers pay the price.

For students and faculty in higher education—especially those studying labor relations, supply chain management, computer science, and organizational behavior—these events are a stark reminder that stability in the job market is no longer a given. The old promises of lifelong employment or career ladders within major corporations are being eroded by technological disruption and financialization.

Universities may trumpet partnerships with Microsoft or logistics giants like UPS, but they must also reckon with what these partnerships mean for the future of work. Are students being trained for careers that may not exist in five years? Are institutions complicit in funneling talent into systems that undervalue human labor?

Layoffs at this scale are not isolated events. They are structural. And for millions of Americans—workers, students, graduates—they represent not just temporary hardship, but a preview of the next economic reality.

Sources: Reuters, The Times UK, ABC7, Supply Chain Dive, Polygon, The Verge, Reddit, Teamsters.org

Documents from Education Department (includes 90/10 Rule and Income-Driven Repayment)

 

Documents from Education Department Matching Documents Education Department Rules Classification of Revenue under Title IV FR Document: 2025-12554 Citation: 90 FR 29734 PDF Pages 29734-29737 (4 pages) Permalink Abstract: The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is revising its prior interpretation and clarifying its classification of revenue received by a proprietary institution of higher education under the Title IV Revenue and Non-Federal Education Assistance Funds regulations called the "90/10 Rule". Notices Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Impact Aid Program—Application for Section 7002 Assistance FR Document: 2025-12529 Citation: 90 FR 29854 PDF Pages 29854-29855 (2 pages) Permalink Abstract: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved information collection request (ICR). Impact Aid Program—Application for Section 7003 Assistance FR Document: 2025-12530 Citation: 90 FR 29855 PDF Page 29855 (1 page) Permalink Abstract: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved information collection request (ICR). Income Driven Repayment Plan Request for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans and Federal Family Education Loan Programs; Correction FR Document: 2025-12525 Citation: 90 FR 29855 PDF Page 29855 (1 page) Permalink Abstract: [Not available] Matching Documents Subscribe to Any Search Result Did you know that you can subscribe to any search result? After performing any search on FederalRegister.gov you can choose to receive any future documents that match your search via email. Just click the subscribe button on the right side of the search box. Subscribe to an Agency's Documents From any agency page on FederalRegister.gov you can choose to receive email updates of new documents from that agency. Choices of subscriptions include Documents on Public Inspection, Newly Published Documents, and Documents Deemed Significant.

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