Finding Your Thing (When Nothing Feels Clear)

Congratulations, job seekers, new workers and soon-to-be-graduates—and also, buckle up - it is a bumpy ride.  That’s the vibe of early career life right now: a job market that’s technically fine (about 4% unemployment), but feels… not fine. Entry-level hiring is down, applications disappear into AI black holes, and even strong candidates are ghosted by bots. It’s less “climb the ladder” and more “wander the maze and hope someone opens a door.” Against that backdrop, two big ideas emerge—from Jodi Kantor’s framework and a companion piece on women reshaping work rules: craft and need. First, craft. Not your job title—your thing. The skill you build so well that people can’t easily replace you. You don’t start with it; you notice your way into it. Pay attention to what energizes you at 11:30 a.m. on a random Thursday. Track what you’re good at, what you enjoy, and what others naturally come to you for. Careers aren’t built in sweeping five-year plans—they’re built in small, repeated moments of doing something well. Second, need. The world’s problems are the map. The people who thrive aren’t just polishing skills in isolation; they’re aiming those skills at something that actually matters to others. It’s where usefulness meets opportunity. (And yes, that may require some risk—despite every instinct to choose the safest possible path.) So what now? Be practical and intentional. Apply broadly, because the system is weird. But also build relationships, find adjacent opportunities, and keep developing your craft in real time. The market may feel impersonal, but careers are still deeply human. Bottom line: you are not unnedded. The system is just… glitchy. Stay curious, stay persistent, and keep showing up. Good Reads: This Is a Hard Time to Start a Career. These Two Words Can Help. Why women leaders are ditching the old workplace rulebook – and winning because of it - Fast Company