GabAb Sez:  Does the thought of waking up in the morning make you want to vomit? When you talk about your job do you sound as uninterested as if you were describing potpourri? If you answered yes and heck yes, you might be in the wrong career. Here are more serious considerations to keep in mind: You want a career in which you’re motivated to always learn more and advance within your occupation. You want to care about your work and gain some sort of satisfaction from it. You should feel challenged but not wholly overwhelmed. Make sure your career provides sufficient time to pursue personal interests. Ask yourself some other questions: Can you see yourself in this environment for the next 40 years? Will you be able to make enough money to support the lifestyle you want? Do the good days outweigh the bad? Spend some time analyzing your career and your future in it. Think long and hard and be honest with yourself. This should provide insight as to whether it’s right for you or not.

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Dear Gabby Abby: Hi, I am a freshman in high school, and I am pretty sure what I want to be.  When I was younger I always wanted to do something in the medical field.  So, when I shadowed a physical therapist I decided that I wanted to pursue this career.  My only problem is that I do not know what major I should go into.  I heard about a pre-physical therapy major but I wasn't sure if there were others that would help me in my career.  How do I find a good major for physical therapy?

GabAb Sez: Look at you, getting a head start – that’s awesome. Well a lot of students will major in one of the sciences, with the most common one being biology. Other popular majors include kinesiology, psychology, and general sciences. You’ll definitely want to maximize the number of science classes you take – anatomy, chemistry, biomechanics, physiology, kinesiology, and biology are all extremely helpful. They’ll best prepare you for the coursework you’ll face in your physical therapy program. You can start preparing now by taking a lot of science electives in high school. Also consider getting some additional exposure to the physical therapy field. Volunteer at a hospital or clinic to gain hands-on experience. And keep in touch with the people in the field that you meet – having contacts is always helpful. It sounds like you really have your stuff together – go get it, girl!       

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Dear Gabby Abby: To become a doctor, do you need to be an all honors student or just a hard worker? Thanks.

GabAb Sez: Becoming a doctor takes a whole lotta’ blood, sweat, and tears. When it comes down to it, being an extremely hard worker is probably the most vital component. During your undergraduate years, your level of commitment to medicine will be key. Admission to med school is competitive so it’s important that you do very will in your courses. It’s also important to do well on the MCAT and to be able to demonstrate an interest in the medical community (i.e. through volunteering or some sort of activity). In med school, the coursework will be challenging and the standards for passing your exams will be very high. Long story short – you need to be prepared to work hard. If you’re still in high school and wondering whether you need to take ALL honors classes, it’s not a necessity (i.e. med schools will not be looking at your high school transcript). However, it is good to get into the habit of taking challenging courses and excelling in them. Throughout the next several years, keep your eye on the prize.  Don't lose sight of your goals, regardless of how challenging school may be - good luck!  

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Dear Gabby Abby: With a B.A. degree in Business Administration/Management, what types of jobs would this degree be applicable for?

GabAb Sez: Business administration – a blessing and a curse.  It’s a blessing in the sense that you can go in many directions.  It’s a curse in the sense that it seems like too many directions.  I don’t know whether you’re in school or already have your degree but in either case, you need to focus your interests.  Having a business administration/management background allows you to go into specialties like accounting, financial services, economics, human resources, sales, and marketing.  While in school, it’s helpful to take classes in all of these areas to get a feel for which one is a good fit.  Once you choose one that you particularly like, take additional classes and try doing an internship in that area.  You should also consider the type of industry that you want to work in.  Possibilities include retail, wholesaling, media, non-profit, consumer packaged goods, government, health care, hotels and restaurants, financial institutions, and technology.  Again you should pick one that you’re interested in and try your hand at it.  If you’ve already graduated and you’re not sure where to start – consider sales or marketing.  There are a lot of entry-level positions in these areas and they provide a nice introduction to the business world.  Honing in on your interests might be a trial-and-error process but it will come all together in the end.  Taking the time to find that focus will make the rest of your career planning much easier!

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Dear Gabby Abby: I am trying to find a college and career that fits me. I want to work with people definitely, and my family tells me to look into Human Resources Management. What is Human Resources Management?

GabAb Sez: It’s definitely good that you enjoy working with people - if you go into human resources, you’ll be doing a whole lot of it. Well depending on the size of the organization or company, HR managers can wear a number of hats. They’re often in charge of recruiting & interviewing new employees and they play a large role in hiring decisions. They also aid in the training of new employees and implementing ongoing training initiatives to help current staff members foster their skills. Employees’ compensation and benefits are often managed by the HR team and they work to ensure that everything is running smoothly. Maintaining employee relations can also fall under their responsibilities. This might mean settling a dispute or ensuring that everyone is satisfied and happy. In general, HR departments are an integral piece to every company, and in recent years their role has really flourished and taken on a more strategic nature. For example, when an employee leaves a company, he/she will often do an exit interview with an HR associate in which they gather information about the employee’s likes/dislikes of the job. They then use this information to determine what needs to be changed and what needs to be fostered. Hopefully that gives you a better idea of the field – I would suggest shadowing an HR employee to get an even better sense for their day-to-day activities. Regardless of what you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck!           

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Dear Gabby Abby: How do I really know my footpath? I've thought about being a cosmetologist but now that I go to a career tech center from my high school and I've got an idea of what it would be like I really don't know if I want to be a cosmetologist or not. What should I do?

GabAb Sez: Decisions,decisions. Never easy – especially when they involve what to do with the rest of your life. To get a better feel for cosmetology, you should talk with people who have worked in the field for some time. Shadow them for a day. Consider getting a part-time job in a salon. The more exposure you have (beyond the classroom), the better your understanding will be of it. You also need to spend some time thinking about what you like and dislike about cosmetology. Take the “likes” and think about what other jobs have those characteristics. What are the negatives and what other jobs share those characteristics? Those are the ones to stay away from. Keep in mind that at any job, there will be aspects you’re not in love with. You have to determine whether the good outweighs the bad and whether the negative aspects are things that you can live with. For the long term, consider whether cosmetology is something you want to wake up and do every day. If not, what can you picture yourself doing? Think about the environment you want to work in and the type of people you want to interact with. What sorts of industries interest you? What will interest you to the point of wanting to learn more and improve your skills? If you decide to move on from cosmetology, be sure to really explore the fields you’re interested in. Again, shadow people or interview them – get a feel for the day-to-day life. If you invest the time and energy to really hash out your interests and options, it should pay off in the end!           

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Dear Gabby Abby: Hi mom here – What advice for a Jr in High school who says she has no idea what she wants to do –She used to think she wanted to write novels, etc but has this year taken an AP eng class that has her scared.  She got a “B” in 1^st semester but thinks she will not be capable of writing.  However with all that said – tells me for her Sr year – she wants to take AP Eng 4-Literature and AP Euro history, French 4 and would like to work on the school newspaper!   Go Figure – I don’t know what direction to push her in! HELP!

GabAb Sez: Sounds like she’s going to be one busy bee! Well if she has an inclination toward a career in writing, one of the best things you can do is encourage her to explore all of the many opportunities available. At age 16 or 17, it’s not uncommon to have a somewhat narrow view of your career options. Going into healthcare means being a doctor and wanting to write translates into being a novelist. Prompt her to start thinking about advertising, public relations, journalism (broadcast, newspapers, magazines, internet publications), scriptwriting (television, film, radio, theater), grant writing, speechwriting, and academia. Also be sure to emphasize the range of specialties in every area (i.e. in journalism you’ll find sports, politics, healthcare, entertainment, food and dining, etc.). Another point to stress is that her performance in a course like AP English doesn’t necessarily predict her skills as a writer. Even if she’s not a pro at dissecting Hemmingway, it doesn’t mean she’s not a natural with magazine editorial work. It’s great that she’s trying her hand at the school newspaper – she should definitely aim to broaden her exposure to the different areas of writing. Do a search for writing workshops in your area – encourage her to enroll in them. 

Also encourage her to try shadowing professionals in her areas of interest. One site I’ve found that I really like is from Kennnesaw State University.  It’s a great resource for aspiring writers to get a better feel for the different career paths. The interviews with professionals (found under “writing career options”) are particularly interesting. On a final note – I think it’s great that you’re taking an active interest in her life and I really admire you seeking help on her behalf. Keep us posted on her evolving interests – we’d love to hear how everything unfolds!                      

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Dear Gabby Abby: hey, I am a junior in high school, and I am kind of sure what I want to do, but I am not positive sure.  I want to major in bio and want to become a pediatrician when i grow up.  At my school, we have a class where you can explore the field you want and you have a mentor from that field, but I haven't heard back from mine, and I don't want to keep bothering her, but I want to get started ASAP so I know if this is for me. I love kids, and I enjoy science, but I have always been bad in math, and I improve at times like last year, but over the summer I forget.  Finally, I have trouble with studying and do poorly on tests so can you please help me?  sorry for so many questions.

GabAb Sez:  Never apologize for asking too many questions – there’s no such thing! In terms of meeting with your mentor, have you tried speaking to the teacher or leader of the class? Perhaps they could give her a little nudge to get her toosh in gear. Unfortunately a doctor’s schedule can be very demanding and I bet the winter season keeps her busy with the kiddies. While I definitely think you should continue to get in touch with her, I’d also encourage you to gain additional exposure to the pediatrics field. Try volunteering at a hospital or clinic. Shadow people in various positions – doctors, nurses, etc. You can work in healthcare in a number of different capacities so it’s important to explore all of your options. As far as your concerns about math, science, and testing poorly, do keep in mind that math and science will form a large part of your curriculum. And admission to medical school is contingent upon excelling in undergrad and performing well on the MCAT. It sounds like you have the passion so I think if you’re willing to invest the time in improving your math and studying skills – you should be a-okay! This might mean seeking help from a tutor, taking an extra class, and trying out different study techniques to find which ones work for you. It’s wonderful that you’re already thinking of the future and taking initiative to test out your interests. Keep exploring and make the extra effort to get to where you want to be!             

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Dear Gabby Abby: What information do you have on the Career Path: Screenplay Writer, or similar?

GabAb Sez: Drawing some inspiration from the Oscars, eh?  You might want to consider starting in film school.  Not only will you learn the craft of screenwriting but you’ll also make important industry contacts.  As you enter the field, you should think about working as a script reader at a film studio.  This will give you an opportunity to review and report on scripts sent to the studio.  In effect, you’ll pick up valuable skills to apply to your own writing and again, have an opportunity to establish valuable contacts.  As far as your own work, you should constantly be developing and writing new scripts.  Especially if seeking a literary agent, you need to prove that you’re not a one-hit-wonder and you can produce a wealth of quality work.   

Writing groups are a great source to draw help from.  They allow you to share your work with industry peers, receive feedback, generate ideas, and again MEET PEOPLE.  Are you noticing a theme here?  Networking is important in every field, but this is especially true in the film industry.  You need people to send your script to.  You need to know people in order to do so.  It’s as equally helpful to know people who will pass your script to people they know.  Some final considerations to keep in mind – know the industry.  Keep up with the trade press.  Seek out interesting experiences, find fodder for your writing.  Be prepared – it’s a tough industry but passion and determination will carry you a long way.  Good luck!         

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Dear Gabby Abby: I am looking for a summer job in the Information Technology field. As a sophomore, I am willing to work for just the experience so I can get my foot in the door of this area.  Do you have any specific suggestions as to how and where to look? I appreciate your taking an interest in my situation.

GabAb Sez: Okey dokey, first things first, let’s get on the same page - are you a sophomore in college or high school? If in college, check with the career center at your school to see what services they offer in terms of search, placement, resume help, etc. Every college offers career assistance, but too few students take advantage of it. If in high school, see what services your counseling center has to offer. To do some independent searching, check out general job sites like Monster and CareerBuilder. Craigslist is another good one, if they have a site for your city. Even though these sites are more oriented to full-time job placements, they do have internship listings on there and you can filter searches by the type of field you’re interested in. Another possibility is 37 Signals, which is a site in the IT field. They have a good job board (jobs.37signals.com ) where you might be able to find some internship postings.  And if there’s a specific industry you’re interested in (i.e. aviation, music, etc.), check with specific companies to see if they have any internship opportunities. Finding one will probably require a great deal of searching but stick with it and I’m sure you’ll come up with something!      

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Dear Gabby Abby: Hi, I’m 21 and trying to apply for an entry-level office job like an administrative assistant but they all ask for at least a year of office experience. The only work experience I have is retail. Is it even worth applying?GabAb Sez:  21? You’re over the hill, honey…if you haven’t transitioned into the cubicle world yet, you might as well forget it. And sometimes I’m a sarcastic punk. You should definitely apply for these positions. When employers create a job description, the qualifications they list are for the perfect candidate. Cliché alert—we don’t live in a perfect world. If you can demonstrate a number of the qualifications listed, they won’t automatically disqualify you for not having all of them. s far as your other work experience, think about what skills you’ve cultivated in retail that would be desirable to an office setting: interpersonal interaction, oral communication, multi-tasking, organizational, hardworking, quick-learner, etc. Be sure to emphasize these in your cover letters and specifically state how they will benefit employers. Also, consider taking time to sharpen your computer skills—specifically Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, etc). Check in your community and online for free classes or check out/buy books from your library/super-mega-chain bookstore. Proficiency in these areas will make you a stronger candidate. Don’t be intimidated and best of luck!

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Dear Gabby Abby: I just finished high school last May and I moved to NYC for nursing school.   It’s a long a story but it turns out I don’t have the time/money/patience to become an RN at this time. I’m still interested in the field and will probably go back eventually but I’m kinda freaking out because I don’t know what to do for the time being. Suggestions? 

GabAb Sez:  First of all, don’t freak. Secondly, I’m serious—don’t freak! Thirdly, have you thought about pursuing another career in the medical field—perhaps a medical assistant? Medical assistants work directly with patients and they perform a number of the same duties as nurses. The training moves at a quick speed, which means you’ll be out and working in the field sooner. After working for some time, you can always go back to school to pursue additional training. And if you do return to school to become an RN, having a background in medical assisting will help you immensely. ere are links to two schools in the NYC area that have medical assistant programs: New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants   and  Wood-Tobe Coburn School. You can request to receive more information so that you can study up on the field and see if it interests you. No worries—it’ll all come together!

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Dear Gabby Abby: I’m only a senior in high school but I know I want to go to med school. What can I start doing now to help? What should be my major in college? 

GabAb Sez:  Start watching as much Grey’s Anatomy and ER as possible. Ahhh if only real-life hospitals were like TV hospitals…hellloooo Dr. McDreamy… Moving on—as far as what to major in during undergrad, many students interested in medicine will study one of the sciences (biology, chemistry, etc.).  There are a number of specific science and math courses that you have to take in order to apply to med school. Many people figure that if they need to take these classes anyhow, they might as well make the credit count towards their major. That being said, it’s not a requirement and admission officers also like to see applicants with well-rounded backgrounds—if you have an interest in a major that’s not science-based, you should pursue it but keep in mind you will have to take a good deal of math and science as well. Asfar as what to do now, try volunteering at a hospital or see if you can shadow a doctor or two. Not only will this give you a more realistic perspective of what to expect but it will also give you a boost when applying to med school (that is, being able to trace back an active pursuit and interest in medicine for several years). Let me just say it’s awesome that you already have a career path in mind—good luck!  

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Dear Gabby Abby: Hey I’ve been applying for part-time jobs and I feel like I’ve applied to like a million places but I never hear back. What do ya think I’m doing wrong or what should I do different?   

GabAb Sez:  Are there holes in your pants? Pit stains on your shirt? Passing gas when filling out your application? You’d be surprised. Here’s the problem—there are jobs available BUT there’s a lot of equally qualified people applying for these jobs. You have to take a proactive approach to make yourself stand out. When turning in an application, ask to speak with the hiring manger—even if it’s only to introduce yourself real quick -- he/she’s more likely to remember you and might be impressed with your outgoing approach. After handing over the application, wait a week or two and either call or stop back into the store (again, ask for the hiring manager). It gives you a good opportunity to: a) demonstrate you’re genuinely interested in the position, b) separate yourself from the pack, and c) show that you qualities that employers value, like taking initiative. And as a side note, always make sure you have a presentable appearance when applying and during interviews. None of these tactics actually require that much effort but it’s the little things that’ll help—it’s honestly just a matter of not being lazy about it!  

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GabAb Sez:  Ahhh an artist! When you read that, picture it in my horrendous French accent (arteeest). Fret not—there are loads of ways to turn that passion into a job. First, have you considered majoring in something that isn’t just art but art-related. Like graphic design or advertising (the creative end)—these both require a creative and artistic flair but you’re applying that creativity to some sort of business objective or goal. Deviating a little further—consider fields like architecture, interior design, or fashion design. While each one is has a different focus, at the core of each is artistic creativity and vision. You can take a less hands-on approach and major in art history. From there you can take several paths like teaching art history or working in some sort of gallery or museum. OR—art restoration—combining the history aspect with hands-on work. AND you could major in art while also getting a degree in education, which would prepare you to become an art teacher for elementary, middle, or high school students. If any of these ideas interest you, I would start by taking introductory classes to see if it’s a good fit. You shouldn’t have to give up an interest just because you’re not sure what to do with it—don’t worry, you can make it work!

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GabAb Sez:  Afraid of being a Jack/Jane of all trades, master of none? No worries—you don’t necessarily need to pick and choose, you can actually find a way to combine all of them. Try focusing on one that’ll become your career path…let’s say teaching, for example. Think about combining traveling and teaching—the Peace Corps can allow you to live and teach in a foreign country, there are loads of programs for teaching English in foreign countries, or an organization like Teach for America allows you re-locate to a different US city and teach while earning your master’s degree in education. Once you return, you can always settle somewhere to pursue a more permanent teaching position. Also, as a teacher you’d have your winter, spring, and summer breaks to continue traveling. To incorporate writing and music you can either treat them as hobbies or weave them into your teaching career. Perhaps look into being an English or music teacher. OR taking another route—travel agent? I would suggest outlining the possible combinations and weigh what’s important to you. Make sure you keep a realistic and practical perspective. I’m not going to tell you there’s no chance of becoming a rock star, traveling the world on tour, writing a best-selling book about your experiences, and teaching celebrity guitar lessons as goodwill. If you think you can do this—go for it! But it can’t hurt to have a backup plan!  

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Dear Gabby Abby: I just recently became a certified medical assistant, but I have no experience in the medical field. It's been so hard for me to get a job and I was just wondering if you have any suggestions on helping me get some experience.

GabAb Sez:  It’s the old catch 22 come to haunt us again – can’t get a job without experience, can’t get experience without a job. Well if employers seem hesitant to hire you because of a lack of experience, then you should try getting involved in healthcare in any way possible. Hospitals and clinics are always looking for volunteers – if you could volunteer at one (for even just one hour a week), not only will you build up your history of hands-on experience but you’ll establish contacts (knowing people is key in any industry). You should also look into setting up some informational interviews. At an informational interview, you’re not necessarily interviewing for a specific position but it’s really more of an opportunity for you to interview professionals in the field. You can ask them questions about what it’s like to work in the field, how to get that first job, tips for being successful, etc. Not only do you gather lots of helpful info but again, it’s a great way to network with professionals. Contact hospitals or clinics and ask them about setting these up. Finally, have you tried seeking help from the career services center at the school you attended? Contact them and inquire about job placement services or see if they have any alumni that they can get you in touch with. Stay positive – landing that first position is never easy but trust me, it’ll happen. Best of luck!

1. Focus on filling a void of some sort - what doesn't exist that people want?


2. Know your market - who are your consumers? What do they do? How old are they? What do they want? What are their activities? How do they communicate? Why do they want your product/service?


3. Create a detailed business plan that outlines EVERY aspect of your business. Do research and make informed decisions. Consider things like how you will price your product/service. How will you advertise it to consumers?


4. Surround yourself with supportive people that will encourage and help you.


5. Make sure you have the initial funds to get started and support yourself for a few months if it doesn’t take off right away.


6. Consider growing starting off in stages – so you begin very small with just one part of your business, then add more as you are able. This is a great solution especially if money is really tight.