TransformingYourCareerTransformingYourself

  Reddit looks at the growing trend: Harvard graduate, no job, posting on social media. That includes Harvard Business School alumni. Currently one out of four didn't land jobs three months after graduation.  Here is an example of such a posting. Obviously, shame is vanishing about being jobless.  But the key lesson here for others who are unemployed or undergoing any form of adversity is this: Get a lemon, make lemonade.  Some of these jobless Harvard graduates have really squeezed the lemon. Their sad story, looped in with the Harvard mystique, provides the platform for becoming influencers. That's the new success dream. Almost 60% of Gen Zers want to become influencers. Another lesson, of course, is to calculate the growing risk of investing in a first-class college education or an advanced academic degree. The learning experience may be awesome. But the ROI in terms of employment may be dismal. UPDATE: FT study finds that universities tend to restrict or ban AI...

  The collective memory bank in England is bulging with memories of Meghan Markle's very public complaints about alleged British racism and the toxic royals, documents Mercury News.  That burst into an intense backlash about Netflix casting her for the Guy Ritchie Netflix drama "The Gentlemen" filmed in the UK.  The offer has been withdrawn. Journalism gossip Tina Brown   got right on it. Brown observed that signals not a very promising start for Markle's new life in England, especially not for a comeback to acting.  The welcome mat might not be put out for Prince Harry either. His expose on the royals "Spare" sold well. However, now that he's returning to the scene of the crimes against him the price paid for that bit of commercial success could be profound. It could even be passed down to the next generation. Harry and Meghan's two children could have a rough go of it in British schools.  In coaching, particularly in this tough job market, I warn a...

  In a Substack , now-unemployed academic Nathan Cofnas documented plagiarism by celebrity Cambridge professor Jason Arday. He also challenged the biography Arday presented about himself. That probably set in play the pressure on Arday to resign. Not long after he died in what is speculated to be suicide. Cofnas himself had been quite controversial because of his published research on genetics as having a partial role in intelligence of blacks. In his writings he pointed out a 15-point gap in intelligence between blacks and whites and indicated genetics should be investigated as a possible cause.  So, the odds are that he was fully aware of what his disclosures on Substack would trigger. Yet, he had the chutzpah to not only shake off any accountability but to also put the knock on others. "Chutzpah" is a Yiddish term denoting wild arrogance. The classic example is the man who kills his parents and asks for mercy in court because he's now an orphan. The Wall Street Jour...

  Why didn't I think of this sooner? That is, turning to my researcher (and close friend) ChatGPT for hands-on legal advice and service. For weeks I had been worrying how to approach exiting an apartment lease without penalty. The latter would be two months rent. Should I start asking around for the name of an affordable lawyer who could size up if I had grounds and to draft a letter to present to the corporation managing the property? Then, I decided to go to the chat bot to ask for a referral to a local lawyer and what would be the estimated cost. Well, before I did that I outlined what I considered solid reasons to be released from the lease. They included health and safety.  Immediately, the bot responsed with an answer. Yes, I have grounds. It restated in what we consider legal language what they are. And it provided the appropriate Ohio law. Then the bot asked if I wanted the actual letter drafted. You bet. Wow. the letter is amazing. I will present it in mid September a...

  Well, well. The Wall Street Journal has done something unusual. Probably as a result of a leak it's reporting on a bit of Big Law poaching that hasn't yet been finalized.  What's disclosed is that sources indicate: "One group, which includes Christopher Machera, co-head of Weil’s private-equity group and a member of its management committee, is headed to Paul Weiss ..." Actually, unlike the recent departures at Wachtell, this shouldn't be a news blast. A change of leadership at Weil will happen. Given that law firms are highly political entities, partner flight is expected.  "After a more than 16-year run, executive partner Barry Wolf will retire next year and Boston partner Ramona Nee will succeed him as the firm’s leader." The real news is that according to the metric that counts the most currently - ability to recruit star partners - new chair at Paul, Weiss Scott Barshay is doing fine. At least as a manager. He pulled this off. But, as a lead...

A useless PhD. For decades I had lamented: You can't imagine how awful it was, after six years of intense study/jumping over hoops taking tests, to find out your degree was not marketable But no need to say that now, of course. Too many find themselves in the same pickle. Follow the Reddit posts of despair about not only the PhD but also the MA/MS, MBA and BA/BS.  So much for such careful planning. Getting the good grades, researching the programs, preparing the application materials, relocating to this or that university and then the pursuit of excellence.  Well, after that reversal of fortune I have never planned again. In fact, I decided to clown around. Literally. But first I needed training.  The gold standard back then was Barnum and Bailey Clown College.  Did my research. I would have to audition when the circus was in town. That was Cleveland, Ohio, at the time. I was doing soul-withering clerical work at a medical insurance company. The application, the Col...