Work

07/18/2008

Don't be afraid of mid-career change

Nancy Irwin was in her early 40s when she changed her career from stand-up comedy to psychotherapy. Having made such a dramatic turnaround, she thought to herself, "If I can do it, anybody can." So she collected dozens of examples of people who also made major life changes after 40, including many who switch careers. She documented their lives in the book "You-Turn: Changing Direction in Midlife." We caught up with Irwin to find out what she's learned about venturing down new paths.

07/17/2008

Not just pretty face: Models get head for business

Some models are more than just pretty faces: They're successful businesswomen, parlaying their time on the catwalk into careers that show off that other important asset — their wits. Heidi Klum, for example, is starting her fifth season as host and executive producer of "Project Runway." That's practically her spare time considering she has her own jewelry line with Mouawad, her own skin-care line called In An Instant and, even at age 35, one of the busiest models in the world.

07/15/2008

Colleen Barrett scaling back to just 'Mom' at Southwest Airlines

The mom of Southwest Airlines Co. is about to become mom emeritus. To call Colleen Barrett "Mom" might seem demeaning, considering that she has been the highest-ranking woman in the airline industry for years, even before she was named president of Dallas-based Southwest in 2001. Colleen Barrett is stepping down today as Southwest Airlines president but will stay with the carrier for five more years as an employee. The former legal secretary followed Herb Kelleher to the airline but put her own stamp on it.

07/10/2008

What's the big deal about the new Apple iPhone?

The original iPhone used elegant software to cram a functional computer into a palm-sized package. The iPhone 3G, which goes on sale Friday, promises something more.

Shutterbugs may get cash from Flick'r deal

Flickr, a popular online photo-sharing site owned by Yahoo Inc., is teaming up with Getty Images to offer shutterbugs a chance to turn their hobby into a moneymaking endeavor. Under a partnership announced this week, Getty's editors will peruse Flickr to find pictures that may appeal to newspapers, magazines, book publishers, advertising agencies and other businesses.

Firms offer a 4-day week to help employees save on gas

WFAA-TV
Edwin Ochoa now works a 4-day week for Dallas Concilio.

When paying high gas prices, something has got to go. Some companies are giving employees' budgets some relief by offering a four-day week. Automotive Service Association changed to four-day work weeks recently. "If we can't pay them more, we can give them tangible benefits in other areas, paying less for gasoline is one of them," said Ron Pyle.

07/09/2008

Watercooler: Trust fund kids, office pranks, busy Tuesdays

Textless keyboards. Bottomless paper clip holders. Sticky notes blanketing the entire cubicle. Most who've worked in an office can say they've either terrorized their colleagues with office pranks or been the victim of at least one hoax. Now, all the Dwights in the corporate world can get their revenge. John Austin, a former toy designer, has written a manual of sorts for tricksters called "Cubicle Warfare" with instructions and illustrations for practical jokes.

07/02/2008

Life at Work: Interns must dress and behave professionally
For many college and high school students, a job in a professional environment is fraught with peril. What do you wear? Who can answer your questions?

Stop lunch-stealers and coffee-drainers

Smashing someone else's lunch in the refrigerator to make way for your own. Draining the last of the coffee in the pot and not refilling it. Leaving your dishes in the sink.

06/30/2008

Getting the scoop at the virtual watercooler

Nothing beats chitchatting with colleagues around the watercooler. But as companies go national and global, and employees increasingly telecommute from home, the conversation hub may run the risk becoming extinct in some offices.

06/27/2008

Tips to make the best of a difficult workplace

Sam Glenn followed some wise counsel when he found himself in a bad job situation — his mother told him, first, don't quit. And second, to have a frank chat with his boss at the small computer communications firm where he worked. Feeling trapped in an unhappy work environment is sending many people in search of solace and advice. With the economy sputtering and unemployment on the rise, these workers are trying to make the best of a bad situation rather than not have a job at all.

06/26/2008

No more cubicles? A peek at workplace predictions

Four-day workweeks and no more cubicles — could this be the future of the workplace? Job placement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. recently released a list of workplace predictions that reflect the evolution of technology and rising cost of health care and energy.

The true cost of commuting

Energy costs are driving new commuters to DART. Ridership is up six percent over last year. You may be surprised to find out that a DART ticket is worth more than its face value — and costs much less than the alternative of using your personal vehicle.

08/31/2007

Maybe freelancing is more than just free time

A few weeks ago, I took the giant plunge into full-time freelance writing, after three and a half years of cobbling together a creative career that sometimes had me asking, "Would you like ranch or Thousand Island dressing with that?"

08/30/2007

Demand growing for pet-sitters

Walking a dog on a beautiful day, playing with kittens – for money. Sound better than the job you have now?

08/28/2007

Be aware of messages sent by desk decorations

At the beginning of a job, it's just a flat surface – bare, untouched, undeveloped. It's even clean, if you're lucky. But transforming an empty desk into a visual representation of an employee's personality and professional competence is not an easy task, say business etiquette experts and environmental psychologists. Every detail can provide an insight – or a distressing revelation – into work ethic and ambition.

08/23/2007

For moms returning to work, companies roll out the welcome mat

Gina Thoma is taking a year off work to raise a family, but she's still playing the corporate game. As part of a new program at PricewaterhouseCoopers, the 42-year-old mother of three mingles at firm events, checks in with a career coach and attends seminars to keep her professional skills fresh.

08/20/2007

A new teacher needs those rose-colored glasses

Her stomach is knotted; her eager mind is racing with the possibilities of the day. She has all her supplies: fresh new crayons, bright yellow pencils, reams of virgin notebook paper, empty journals waiting to be filled.

08/16/2007

Tips on busting out of a rut at work

We all know what it feels like to be stuck in a rut at work. The hours drag by, the challenges are few and thoughts turn to greener grass on the other side of the cubicle.

Survey: Most managers rate themselves as top performers

Believe you're among the top performers in your office? You're not alone.

Retirement-age workers are staying on the job

At 92, Pete Perillo still has a workday routine. He says a prayer and then heads off in uniform to guard the city courthouse. "In the morning, I talk to St. Anthony and I come in," Perillo said. "I come in every day. ... These people, they keep me alive."

08/08/2007

Duo scores with wine-a-rita mix

Wine Glacé is a dry mix that you blend with wine and ice to produce a frothy, frosty, pink beverage mingling sweetness and citrus tang.

08/03/2007

Mom launches home décor biz building on old wine barrels

A love of crafts and old things led Lisa Johnson to create home decor items from old wine barrels -- from candleholders to lazy susans and wine racks.

07/25/2007

Now in your job description: Get fit

Stacey Barich changed her mind about having a tummy tuck when her mother contracted a serious infection after a hospital stay. That's when she knew she had to find another way to drop her weight. "I couldn't even do a sit-up when I got here, but this was a no-brainer for me," Barich said. The no-brainer was a 12-week weight-loss contest offered by her employer, Agora Inc., a newsletter publishing company based in Baltimore. The reward: A $1,000 prize for the top "losers" in male, female and team categories.

07/23/2007

Consultant for Dallas Zoo is queen of the animal kingdom

When the dog won't hunt, the bird won't spread its wings or the elephant won't get on the scale for a weigh-in, the Dallas Zoo calls Barbara Heidenreich.

Air traffic controller is a pilot's savior

A shade over 5 feet tall with short pixie red hair, Stephanie Hollowell appears a mere mortal to most people.

07/19/2007

More women are finding success as sommeliers

Elli Benchimol didn't mind being mistaken for the coat clerk or hostess while she worked at Rasika restaurant in Washington. But then she was scoffed at by two male diners when she asked if she could help them select a wine.