This question is especially important – especially if you work in the media, as our guest editors can attest – and it sparked a lively discussion during our editorial meeting at Miya’s.

Pam Landry, former host of  ”The Blue Plate Special” on WPLR pitched the topic because it’s something she experienced first hand: “Our parents generation, they stayed in one job for thirty years and they retired. That doesn’t happen any more: you get bounced.”

If you’ve learned from an unexpected career transition, please share your advice in the Comments section!

From Pete: “I was in plumbing and excavation for over 20 years. An auto accident has made me  ’fragile’ and as a manager in today’s world you have to be in the field working with the troops. I can no longer use my body as my source of income. I’m afraid I may no longer be able to ‘learn’. Any ideas or resources?”

This is a great question, especially when you consider the fact that the same dilemma can be caused by any number of personal (or societal) changes – and Pete most certainly isn’t the only one in this particular boat these days.

So… what do you think Pete be be doing in his efforts to transfer to a less physically challenging occupation?

From Benjamin: “I graduated college in May 2009 with an A GPA from a top 50 school. My first job was a 100% commission based commercial real estate sales job in NYC. I lasted 9 months before I left without making a dime. Its been about 4 months now, and I havnt been able to find a paying salary job.”

“It is like I am either over qualified or under qualified for everything. I just turned 25, and I don’t know what to do. Law school? MBA program? I’m lost and afraid because I wasted almost 2 years of my time and have no savings to show from it. Your advice would help.”

If you’re a recent college graduate with a good job, let us know how you found that job.

One of life’s cruel jokes is that no matter how great your job is, there are going to be parts of it that you will despise.

Be careful if  you find yourself surfing the web. Constantly.

Please share your coping strategies…

In a good economy, a job interview is stressful. In a bad economy, it can feel like a “make or break” proposition. (Can’t you just feel that knot in the pit of your stomach?)

Whether or not you feel any pressure, the interview is one of those “on stage” moments that are both inevitable and terrifying.

Was there a job interview you participated in – either as an applicant or as a prospective employer – that made you stop and think, “THIS is how it’s done!”?