Dear J.T. & Dale: Since I fulfilled my academic dream (got a degree in anthropology and studied in Kenya), I’ve done archaeology work, been a mural painter and was an intern for an arts organization. The internship turned out to be a flop, though I loved the other interns and the project we worked on. I felt so used. In this current economic time when volunteering for your dream position is a new fad, I’ve been doing it all my adult life. I’m 29 and, geez, I need to be able to support myself and my son. Is it crazy for me to think all my hard work of studying, networking and volunteering should result in some sort of decent job? — Emma Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I completed a job my junior year of college, and the company was so happy with my performance that they offered me a job after graduation. I’ve followed up last March and they confirmed that I would start late summer. However, this week they told me the department was making cuts, so my position was no longer available. I never bothered to look for another job because I thought I had one. What can I do to kick my job search into high gear? — Brandon Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I recently went through a series of interviews and thought I had the job till I got a voice mail stating that while I was wonderful, the department had decided to go with someone they’d “worked with previously.” She also said that perhaps I was a little overqualified. OK, I’m out of college less than a year — how could I be overqualified? During the interviews, I did stress I like to work hard and feel a sense of accomplishment. Did I overdo it? — Michelle Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I just started a new job and feel invisible. I know folks are busy and I’m just an entry-level person, but I want to grow my career. However, nobody will give me the time of day. — Mimi Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: There’s a job opening at a local hospital for a health information tech, which is the job I am currently studying for. Is it OK to offer my volunteer services for a job? I’d do it to get the position and get some experience in the field. However, I spoke to someone who told me that volunteering does not count as “experience.” What do you say? — Shaista Read the rest of this entry »

Dale: Every month or so, we offer up our suggestions for the best resources for careers or management. Read the rest of this entry »

J.T.: Time for our annual highlights column, where we pull together the recent advice we believe will be most useful in the new year.

Dale: We hope your personal economy will be up in 2010, and we’ll be here to help. Meanwhile, for immediate advice, you can always go to JTandDale.com or CAREEREALISM.com. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I applied for a few spring internships and only heard back from one. The interview went well, and I feel I’ll get the position. Unfortunately, this internship is the least interesting of the three I applied for. Even though I don’t think I’ll enjoy myself, should I take it? — Ryan Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am a 58-year-old female who just read your article about coping with negative workplace surroundings. I have a similar dilemma; however, mine is different in that the surroundings are fun-loving, nonprofessional and noisy — jokes, talking over cubicle walls, laughing, etc. I seem to be the “official grouch” because I have proper office protocol and professionalism. I’ve been here long enough to be making decent money, and I want to keep this job till retirement. Can you offer some suggestions? — Annie Read the rest of this entry »

Dale: J.T. and I have frequently asked tough questions of readers who are pondering a return to school, especially those considering a graduate degree. I always repeat that zippy little line, “Grad school is the snooze button on the alarm clock of life,” and then urge the reader to seek out people currently holding jobs they aspire to and ask if a degree is REALLY required. Read the rest of this entry »