So my husband and I were having yet another discussion at the dinner table with my eight-year-old son about why school is important. If he had it his way, he’d quit third grade and get a job tomorrow.

He often says, “When you get your own life, and I get my own life, things will be better.”

Well, his life is ours for now and he has to do what we tell him. But he asked a great question that led to a great discovery for him, and also for career changers, high school kids who just got a college rejection letter, and anyone else who’s always had a passion for something not mainstream. “Did the guy who created SpongeBob go to school?”

He did indeed, but it wasn’t what you’d expect, at least not initially. (more…)

Tomorrow the unemployment report for July will be released and many of you should just ignore it.

I’m talking about those of you who had jobs in shrinking industries such as mortgages, or manufacturing, just to name a few. Even though you’ve been trying hard to find a similar job in a similar field, you can’t even seem to get a call back, let alone an interview.

Maybe it’s time to think about career reinvention. I know, you don’t want to think about that yet. But hitting your head against the wall trying to get a job in a dying field will get you no where.

Come on folks, you can do it!

There are endless stories about folks over 40 who have been able to leave long-time careers behind and start something new and exciting.

Just today, there’s a great, inspiring story in the Wall Street Journal about a former New York firefighter who is now a flight attendant. Go read this piece now if you want some encouragement for your career redux.

I’m not saying starting something new is easy. It’s not. And among the biggest challenges are being able to see yourself in a new career and accepting that maybe you’re not going to find a dream job. (more…)

Our local library asked me to speak in the fall about career reinvention. Based on the types of books readers are checking out, the program manager for adult programs at the library figured that would be a great topic to draw a crowd.

The request immediately got me thinking about what I’d do if I could do something other than journalism. (more…)