Dear J.T. & Dale: I was an English major in college and became an English teacher. I took a few years off to have my children, and came back three years ago. The job was hard to get, with more than 1,000 applicants for each position, so I feel gratified, but I’m also extremely frustrated with teaching. I’ve been looking into occupational therapy, but it would mean leaving my job and going back to school for two years, and would cost $55,000. Does it make sense for a 38-year-old to do that? — Dana Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Last year, I lost my job. I was glad. I hated my work. I’d always wanted to get into non-profit work and do something meaningful, so I networked like crazy and begged a lot of good friends and colleagues to help me. People went to bat for me, and I landed a coveted non-profit job. Here’s the challenge: I hate the job and now realize I’m not suited for non-profits’ lack of funds and slow rate of change. My concern is by leaving, I’ll lose the respect of all those people who put their names and reputations on the line for me. Advice? — Kellen Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am nearing 30 and starting to look at what actually interests me when it comes to a career. I would like to use my business degree to start my own company. However, for someone who has never been part of a small business, I am nervous and clueless. I do have an idea of what I would like to do — open an online clothing business for young women’s fashions, something along the lines of LuLus.com. Where do I start? — Tracy Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I am 55 years old and I’ve been working for a construction company for 25 years. The recession has hit us hard, and I don’t think the company can survive. I’ve been thinking, “Where do I go from here?” I don’t think I want to work in the industry any longer, but I haven’t even thought about looking for a job, or doing a resume, for 25 years. — Craig Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Does a “temporary” job hurt your career? I am currently unemployed and need to pay the bills until I find a permanent job. My concern is I will be committing career suicide if I take something temporary. I know a few individuals who hold doctorates in engineering who used to work for large Fortune 200 companies and who were laid off and took jobs like driving a bus or stocking shelves. They think they have been unable to get a job in their professions because of these temporary jobs. — Pat Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I worked at a large health insurance company for 10 years, until I got terminated for receiving an e-mail from a co-worker. The e-mail got hung up on the server, and by the time the problem was fixed, the company had terminated the person who sent the e-mail and everyone he had sent it to. I had no idea what was in it, and still don’t. Is there a correct way to state why I was let go? Is there a more professional term than “terminated” or “fired”? — Christy Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I served in the military for more than 20 years before retiring. I’ve been looking for a corporate job and feel like a fish out of water. I’ve talked to some fellow ex-military who are working corporate positions and are miserable. They are finding it hard to respect the people they work with. That scares me. Any suggestions? — Craig Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I still want to become a doctor. Specifically, one who spends most of my time helping out in disasters. I let myself be swayed off that path 30 years ago. I’m a manager in a technical field and have a smallish 401(k). I’m healthy, with a long-lived family, so I’m likely to live and work till 90. If I start tomorrow, I’d be a shiny new doctor at age 60. Crazy, huh? The hard thing is figuring out how to go about it. The college counselor is telling me the same thing they say to kids. How do I get rock-solid advice? — Jessica Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I enrolled in college with the goal of becoming a physical therapist. After my freshman year, I signed up for the Navy. But after an extended trip to Mexico, I decided I was too young to dedicate all those years of service. I started an office job, but being cooped up in a cubicle eight hours a day was driving me crazy! I tried my hand at eBay auctions but went into debt. Now I have a good job and am also going to school to be an architect. But I can’t stop imagining how happy and fulfilled I would be as a physical therapist. If I change my major again, it will be like wasting two years of study. I’m 25, and my peers have solid careers while I’m still trying to finish school. — Simon Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I currently have a bachelor’s degree in music performance, and am thinking of getting a degree in music education — either a second bachelor’s or a master’s — then applying for a teaching job at the high-school level. My concern is a master’s might be seen as “overqualified.” With the bachelor’s, I fear it would raise questions as to why I did not get the teaching degree from the start. — Michael Read the rest of this entry »