Dear J.T. & Dale: I have degrees in graphic design and communication. Though I have freelanced regularly since college, for the better part of the past 10 years I have worked in a direct-care capacity for various nonprofits, so I have not worked on staff in graphic design. Please offer me a little insight. I am finding myself calling all the design-agency numbers in the phone book out of desperation. And accepting a job that’s not in my field would continue to move me further from my career. - John

J.T.: If you want a career instead of just another job, find an area of expertise you want to leverage. Ask yourself: “Why was I passionate about design? What problem was I solving that made me feel good about what I was doing?” Exploring your original internal motivation for the work is what can help you focus on an expertise. Once you’ve identified the niche you are going to fill, then it’s time to network.

DALE: Networking is the advice everyone hates. And I know you hate it, John, because you said you’re calling firms “out of desperation.” But there’s a solution, and it came from J.T. a while back: Think of the assignment as being like a reporter working on a story. I see you have a Web site about design. Call people and tell them you’re doing a series of interviews to put online. At the end, ask them who else in the field you might interview.

J.T.: What you will find is that in your efforts to become the expert, referrals for jobs will appear. People want employees who come to the table with solutions. Be a problem-solver, and you’ll find work. By becoming passionate about the process of becoming an expert, the work problem will solve itself.