The Career Doctor™

by Dr. Jacqueline Hornor Plumez

Looking for a first job? Thinking of changing careers? Facing a lay-off? The Career Doctor™ is a Larchmont psychologist specializing in career counseling. If you'd like to ask a question of your own, use our anonymous form, and she might answer you here. Read more about the Career Doctor here. Contact information is here.

FINDING A NEW FIELD

Hi Dr. Plumez:

I love what you do. I worked as TV producer for 25 years and I recently moved to New Rochelle. I stopped working 6 months ago, but need to get back to work in September. Besides the financial issue, I am slowly drowning in domestic suburban drudgery. I do not want to work in television anymore, but have no idea where to begin searching for what I can do instead. If anyone tells me again to write a list of the things I like to do, I will scream. Any advice is well appreciated.

Thank you,

Joanne G.

Dear Joanne:

Dear Joanne: You gave me so little information to work with, that I would need a crystal ball to help you! If you had told me what your skills are, what you like to do (no screaming, please!) and your aspirations, I could use that information to suggest some other careers. If you were in my office, I could give you some vocational tests and exercises that could help point you in the right direction .

But for now, I’ll just have to work with what I know about television producers. They manage all the details – the hiring of talent and services, the contracts, the scheduling. They have to be quite organized but also creative problem solvers. They have to stay cool in a crisis, and be good dealing with problem people, situations, things and ideas. Given all that, a transition might be made into general office management or being the very highly paid assistant to a very high level executive.

If you don’t like those suggestions (or even if you do) start networking with your old colleagues and contacts who know your skills and abilities. Ask them what positions they could see you holding – and then ask who they know who might help you get one.

The Career Doctor

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The Career Doctor™ is Larchmont psychologist and career counselor, Dr. Jacqueline Hornor Plumez.

Her office is at 90 Beechtree Drive in Larchmont, 914-834-1982.