Elizabeth’s Situation: I’m not quite unhappily employed, but I’m not really enjoying my work anymore and it’s affecting my attitude. I’d love to do something that’s a little more creative and flexible. Elizabeth’s Question: How do you determine your best skills and apply those skills to making a career out of what you love? I don’t […]
Should I Quit Grad School for a Better-Paying Job?
Martin’s Situation: After spending most of my 20s tutoring and teaching, I started a PhD program so I could contribute to a scientific cause that I care about. I’ve been here a few years and I’m beginning to feel ambivalent about my research direction, plus I’m tired of living on a grad student stipend. Martin’s Question: […]
How Can I Translate My Interests Into a Job?
Angela’s Situation: I help manage my husband’s office, but don’t really want to be doing that. I am a stay-at-home mom otherwise and taught dance for 10 years. I am unsure what career options would work for me. Angela’s Question: I know what interests me, but I don’t know how to translate those skills/interests into a […]
How to Deal With a Long Stretch of Unemployment
Paul’s Situation: I’ve been unemployed for 6 months. I had no idea it would take this long to find a new job and I’m feeling really frustrated and down on myself. I’m about 10 years away from retirement. I’m afraid my age is making it harder for me to get hired. Paul’s Question: How do […]
What If I’m Just an Inherently Lazy Person and There’s Nothing I Would Find Satisfying as a Career?
Crystal’s Situation: Crystal didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life or how to start investigating her career options. “I’m feeling lost because there are so many career possibilities and most of them are things I don’t even know about! I’m afraid to get a job just to try it out, because it […]
What to Do When Everything Needs Fixing
Joan’s Situation: “When I get home, I just shut down,” Joan told me. “I live alone, I’m single – it’s just me and my pets in a quiet house. There’s nothing that motivates me to be responsible. I sit in front of a computer all day. Looking for jobs is the last thing I want to […]