I’m 33 and I worked on a start-up from age 21-27. Since then I’ve worked a number of different kind of agency / corporate jobs, which is probably not the right environment for me.
Should I stay in the job I have now, take advantage of whatever it does have to offer, have kids, and try a lifestyle business once I’m ready? Or should I try another start-up now and risk not having kids for another few years?
I went to school for journalism. I’ve gotten a few jobs at newspapers, but they are never full time and the pay is terrible. Now I’m working at an Apple Store, trying to figure out what to do. Where are all the journalism jobs?
What can I do about a co-worker who is jealous of me? She is underhanded and conniving at work. Should I confront her?
I graduated in 2003 with a B.A in international affairs. Since then I I married a painter (against my parents will since I was suppose to marry a doctor, lawyer or accountant). I have also had a baby and worked on my parents winery.
Now, it’s five years after college graduation. What should I do? My family has been amazing helping us out financially but they are putting pressure on me that I need to go to grad school and study something that will guarantee a good income. At this point I neither have any idea what I like nor what will bring in money. I have no real skills I am not trained in anything. I speak 3 languages and I lived on 3 different continents. How do you find what you like and can bring in a high income?
Do you have any recommendations for resources on how to write a personal statement or essay for graduate school? I’m considering applying to a masters program but am at a loss on how to write a 500-word essay on why I want to pursue this program.
I heard you on NPR about a week ago and I think you could help my son.
He needs to talk to someone with the common sense you have about career planning. He graduated Brown and has worked in [entertainment companies]. He had great ideas but by the time the upper echelons could decide on his ideas– some other faster minds in smaller, less corporate settings got there first.
Can you suggest a coach in the Los Angeles who has the same ideas as you who can talk some sense to him before he decides to go back to school for a masters in business? I think that he really just needs to find his niche. He is creative and very personable. He is now 30. His last job was six figures but that corporate world is not for him.
Thank you for your help.
How do you deal with negative comments and critics about your blog? I thought I had a thick skin but some blog commenters can really push my buttons.
Right now I’m scrapping myself off the floor after a heated discussion with a reader ended with her writing, “Bye. never coming back here again.”
How do you do it? How do you not let this get to you?
I’m looking for a mentor. I’m Spanish and live in Barcelona. I write a Spanish blog aimed at a Spanish-speaking audience.
I don’t know what real chance I have asking someone I admire in the United States to mentor me. Should I ask popular people? I have some in mind who I would like as mentors, but I’m afraid they won’t even notice me because of their popularity. Should I look for more “normal” people?
Recently my long-distance boyfriend of nearly 2 years and I have started talks about living to the same city. He is on one coast. I am on the other. My career field provides flexiblity, so thankfully, it is not as burdensome as it could be, and I do like his side of the country. What types of questions would you ask yourself if you were faced with moving across the country for a relationship and beginning everything over again, including your career?
I am 24 years old. I have been reading your blog for a while, and its actually making me feel a bit depressed. I went to college a year out of high school, and during my 2nd year found out my girlfriend was pregnant. Under the assumption that it would make me more money, I transfered in to the school’s business program. I am now almost graduated, with a bachelors in business management, and have no idea what I can do with it. I feel like I have no marketable skills, and would have better spent my time working at McDonald’s for 4 years, at least then I’d have some real good experience.
I completely disconnected from the world after my son was born. I have not made a single new friend since high school, and for the most part only hang out with my family, rarely even seeing my old friends. I have missed out on this whole blogging evolution, and just feel lost. What type of employer am I supposed to apply at? Is a bachelors of business administration worth anything to anyone? I have a lot of knowledge, but no one seems to care.
Where does someone like me go? My whole life the idea that college was what you did you get a good job was drilled into my head, but I can’t see it delivering now. I know I am smarter than many of the people I went to school with, and have abilities somewhere, but just feel so lost. I have always wanted to run a restaurant, but that takes a lot of money. I have so many ideas, but no capital. I have been applying as an assistant manager at various restaurants, hoping to build a skill set, but is that not completely lame? Most people with equivalent jobs probably got them just by working their for a few years, and earned money to get to that position rather than spend.
I don’t know, it seems like the world left me behind. Every other 24 year old seems to be so far ahead of me, and I don’t see them having a kid in the future as a way for me to catch up.
penelope@penelopetrunk.com