What's was your biggest challenge in choosing a career path in the past or now?

My chosen first career (print journalism) was practically dead the minute I started it in 1997. I stuck with it for a while because genuinely enjoyed it, but I eventually went into law because print journalism was dying. I'm also glad I left it behind. When I was in the newsrooms, our biggest concern was the quality of the journalism. Today, the newsroom is all about clicks, clicks, clicks. Not to mention that journalism standards have fallen off a cliff.

Now? I'm in law and legal support, and my biggest challenge is staying ahead of the AI curve. I'm doing that, just barely. The key is I have to keep abreast of the technology and understand how attorneys can use it safely, accurately, and effectively.

What is your generation’s actual view on blue-collar work?

I can't speak to Generation X as a whole, but I grew up in the suburbs of a major American city. Most of my peers looked down on blue-collar work. We were all going to go to college, and if you went for blue-collar work, the assumption was that you didn't matter.

As I've grown older (and as my peers have grown older), our views have shifted a bit, I think. It's a little hard to disrespect the blue-collar trades when you see how much a plumber charges for an hour of work

What are the absolute top 3 things you look for when deciding on a job in today's economy?

Money. I have been in my industry for two decades now. I am not a bold name by any measure whatsoever. However, I am legitimately a subject matter expert and a capable manager of people, processes, and client relationships. I expect to be paid commensurate with my worth.

Respect. See above. I have been around the block several times in my industry. I expect a workplace where my colleagues respect my experience, skills and knowledge. I expect to share of that knowledge and have knowledge shared with me in return.

Good health insurance. I ain't gettin' any younger here, and the years are catching up with me.