Advice Archive

Q:   Hi Lisa — I’m a high school junior who loves math and science, but I have no idea which engineering major to pick. They all sound interesting but also confusing. How do I figure out which one fits me? And are there high school classes that match each major? A: You’re already ahead of the game by asking this now. Most students don’t realize how many types of engineering exist until they’re filling out college applications. The good news is you don’t need to have it all fi

Honestly, the answers feel endless—I may need a part 2 or 3 for this one. Bring Solutions, Not Complaints Early in my career, a boss told me I complained too much. Ouch—but I needed to hear it. Later, I gave a presentation to a senior leader and asked for their ideas to solve a problem. My boss pulled me aside and said: “Leaders expect solutions, not problems.”  That stuck. Now, when you face a challenge, pause and think of at least one solution (and a backup). Share your ide

Framing the Differences: Technical vs. Management Career Ladders Key Attributes of a Technical Career Specialized Expertise You bring deep technical knowledge or skills that are highly valued by the organization. Examples include software development, data analysis, business process design, or domain-specific expertise. Growth Through Mastery and Adjacent Skills Advancement comes from deepening your specialization or expanding into closely related areas that enhance your effe

It really does take a leap of faith — and maybe a little insanity — to move from corporate leadership into solo consulting. But with the right preparation, it can be one of the most fulfilling career paths you’ll ever take. A solo consultant can be considered an entrepreneur, but I just learned that a solo consultant is often described as a solopreneur. The distinction lies in scale and intent: entrepreneurs typically aim to grow beyond themselves, while solopreneurs intentio

If you’re working as a solo consultant, you may wonder: Am I really an entrepreneur?  The answer is yes — but with a nuance. Solopreneur:  Runs a business of one. You deliver services directly, manage clients, finances, and marketing yourself. Independence and flexibility are the focus, not necessarily scaling into a larger company. Entrepreneur:  Builds a business with the intent to grow, hire, or expand beyond their own capacity. The focus is on creating systems, teams, and

This is a powerful question — and one of the reasons I started this column. Too often, women in STEM careers lack mentors who can help navigate situations like this. The first step is to clarify whether the lack of opportunity is truly due to gender bias or whether there are skill gaps that need addressing. Asking for feedback can feel uncomfortable, but it’s an essential skill in business. Documenting that feedback will give you valuable insight before raising concerns about

While I haven’t personally marketed a course to couples, I’m happy to share some creative, low-cost strategies I’m using to promote this advice column. I hope they spark ideas for your own journey: Make social media your playground. Use your personal accounts to share fun, short videos, inspirational posts, and behind-the-scenes glimpses. Don’t worry about being perfect—what matters most is showing up consistently and frequently. Let your personality shine! Tap into existing

In today’s competitive job market, your resume needs to do more than list your responsibilities—it should showcase your leadership and...