Dear CareerBabe:

I am 28 and although I am a hard worker who was on track to become a lawyer, that seems hopeless to me since I have been laid off twice in my last two jobs. For the long term I am especially interested in one of the healing arts (acupuncture/chiropractic), or possibly becoming an ultralight plane instructor. I am going to Indonesia just to travel -- maybe I will find a job there? I don't like having a small income or living with such high levels of risk! How can I get control over my future?

Dear Beyond:

I think instead of Beyond My Control, I would have called your letter "How I Sabotage My Own Success." While nothing is certain in any job market, your disappointment does seem unfounded.

First, your letter mentions at least seven totally different possible fields. You are not focused!

Second, you mention needing a high level of income, so I wonder if you have expensive spending habits? Are you in debt? Do you have control over your own expenses and lifestyle?

Third, you say you don't like living with a high level of risk, but then you end your letter by announcing you are going to Indonesia and may get a job there! This seems very high risk indeed.

Fourth, nothing appears to be your "heart's desire." Instead you seem to go quickly from one thing to another -- without any real stamina. If I compare your letter -- even without knowing the results you have had over the last 2 years, with others CareerBabe receives, I would predict poor results because you lack two critical qualities:

I think your results in the job market will improve dramatically if you can identify a career area that is your heart's desire that you can spend 2 years working in -- no matter the ups and downs. I can practically guarantee that since this is a job market rich with opportunities as well as very low unemployment rates -- having a tight focus and working steadily in slow but sure steps will improve your success rate by a wide margin.

Let me know what happens to you!