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What happens when a federal program manager leaves government service and turns her insider knowledge into a business that helps others thrive?

In this episode of Your Next Success, Dr. Julia Barzyk shares her transition from managing a $6M+ geoscience and engineering research portfolio at the U.S. Army Research Office to founding Wise Investigator—a strategic coaching practice for university researchers seeking funding.

You’ll hear about:

• The moment Julia realized it was time to make a change
• The behind-the-scenes realities of federal research funding
• What most scientists misunderstand about proposal strategy
• How she built a business around a gap she saw in academia
• How career transitions affect identity—and what helped her find peace with leaving a prestigious role
• Her perspective on authentic success now, as a business owner and mentor

Julia’s story is a powerful example of how technical expertise, when paired with vision and empathy, can be reshaped into something deeply fulfilling—and wildly impactful.

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-barzyk/

https://www.youtube.com/@wiseinvestigator

https://wiseinvestigator.beehiiv.com/

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