Penelope Trunk

Archives

Best alternative to grad school

August 30th, 2011
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After yesterday's post, about how stupid grad school is, a lot of people asked, what is an alternative to grad school?
This is a great question.
I see this picture outside my window at least once a month.

I have only a little idea of what’s going on. Should I go to graduate school to figure it …

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Voices of the defenders of grad school. And me crushing them.

August 29th, 2011
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It's pretty well established that non-science degrees are not necessary for a job. In fact, the degrees cost you too much money, require too long of a commitment, and do not teach you the real-life skills they promise.
Yet, I do tons of radio call-in shows where I say that graduate degrees in the humanities are …

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Co-workers change your life

August 22nd, 2011
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Melissa rides her horse every morning before she goes to work, at noon, which is when her boss gets to work. I am sad that Melissa is happy because now she will not come back to the farm and be my permanent photographer.

I used to feel sorry for Brad and Angelina because they had photographers …

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Blueprint for a Woman’s Life

Posted to: Women
August 16th, 2011
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When I drive, I have arguments with people in my head. I think of someone who does not realize how smart I am about what I am smart about, and I go on tirades to show them how misguided they are.
And I realized one day, while I had a particularly long car ride, that I …

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How to pitch a blogger

Posted to: Journalism
August 15th, 2011
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Melissa is back. She stole my purse.
But first, before she stole my purse, she opened my mail.
I walked into the kitchen and I said, “Hey, you opened my mail.”
“No I didn't.
“What's this? What's this opened envelope that is addressed to me?”
“Oh. That? I didn't think you counted that as mail.”
“What does it count as?”
“I knew …

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Overcome the willpower myth

Posted to: Knowing yourself
August 10th, 2011
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This post is sponsored by Tempur-Pedic because we think you deserve to get your best night's sleep every night.
I’ve been reading a lot about willpower to find out how to get more. It turns out that we only have a very little bit, and we cannot be demanding it of ourselves all day long because …

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Get good at social media. Now.

Posted to: Fulfillment
August 8th, 2011
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The second start-up I did was with a guy who had great data about city governments but didn't know how to turn it into an Internet company. So I wrote a business plan and got it funded.
It turned out that he also had no idea how to use the Internet. He had a secretary, Laura, …

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Figuring out where you fit

Posted to: Finding a career | Women
August 7th, 2011
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I realize that the last time you heard from me, the Farmer was running me over with his tractor. But it was just a fight. Today I feel like I fit on the farm. When I am getting along with the Farmer, the whole farm feels enchanting – even a goat standing on top of …

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How to look like things are great

Posted to: Fulfillment | Job Hunt
August 2nd, 2011
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Look at this picture. I love this picture. I am carefree, pulled together, and a little bit like a farmer but not too much.

I keep thinking I want to put this picture online. And then I think, I can't. I'm too sad. I need a picture of me moping.
This feeling reminds me of when …

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I’m launching new stuff today.

Posted to: How to blog | Parenting
August 1st, 2011
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I am not good at launching stuff. It stresses me out. I am not good at focusing on multiple things. Ryan Healy used to hate working with me because of this, and, frankly, I hate working with me because of this too.
I need to divide everything into very little projects in order to ensure that …

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