While we are on the subject of entrepreneurs, take a look at a start-up that is less glamorous than Facebook, Dell Computers, and Spanx. They come in all sizes (get the Spanx humor? ha, ha).
I thought this article was very interesting because it was about this man who won so many awards for writing soap operas for TV and was pretty successful and ended up out of work. It's surprising how someone who was doing so well lost his job. But then he found out that all the skills he was already using while writing soap operas could be used to help high school students write their college essays. He solved the problem of finding a job that was pretty similar to his last one in that he continues to help write creative pieces of work and is rewarded for it (when he finds out he was responsible for helping a student get into his first choice college). -Julia M. Period 6
I found it interesting that the man was able to immerse himself completely into a whole other career. Even though it was a slow start, he did not give up and was able to do some real good for the kids he worked with. And in the end he become very successful. It was a real life kind of success story, not that the guys who created Facebook or Dell weren't real. This story just felt more realistic for those of us who need time to figure out how to make it in life. Marissa Goldstein pd 6
Its fortunate that this writer makes profit off of helping kids writing their college admission essays. But, once I saw the ridiculous prices on his website I immediately felt less pity for this man. If he is able to charge $500 to help a kid for their college essay and still have a successful business he must be making hundreds of thousands. In all seriousness, he was able to use his talents and use them to exploit high school students that are in desperate need for help to complete to what seems to them the most important essay of their lives. J.M 6 Period Economics
Entrepreneurs don’t always have an easy start. Some have to work their way up to become a successful company. In Craig Heller's case it wasn’t his first career choice. I found it interesting how he went from a television soap opera writer to a college essay advisor. He had to work much harder at succeeding in becoming a college essay advisor because he had to hand out flyers in order to gain customers. In the end he was still doing a job he enjoyed which was writing and editing which led him to create his own business. KB Period 6
This article, College Essay Advice, From a Former Soap Opera Writer, by Craig Heller, shows two things. One thing being that no matter what career curve ball is thrown at you, you can turn it into something positive, even though Heller's soap opera career fell through, he was able to take something that he always did and make it his own business. Another point that I took away from this article was that business is ever evoleving. Heller took many steps until he had to make his own website. He took his business slow and watches as it started to evolve and he grew with his business as well.
I thought this article was very interesting. It shows that changing careers are very common even if you were the best in your previous job. I liked how Craig Heller used the skills he learned from being a television show writer and applied it to become a college essay counselor. Now his business grows and he is helping students around the country -SC per 6
I found this article to be very interesting because after doing such amazing things for a period of time like write soap operas and get an award for script of the year and win grammys, after that period of time ended Craig Heller was at a stand still in work because he was getting zero job offers. After his brother in law suggested that he'd try out the college advisor industry it wasn't such a bad idea. What i liked about this article was that Heller found a new job that sparked his interest and he did what he needed to, to pursue this career like call schools and hand out flyers and he was determined to pursue this job career.
I really applaud this guy for not getting discouraged and doing nothing after he lost his job. If that was me, i honestly don't know if i'd be able to get back out there and find a whole new career, i'd be pretty upset. However, you can't just sit there and do nothing for the rest of your life, you need to pull yourself together and keep going, which is exactly what this man did. I just found it shocking that this man who wrote soap operas for ten years and won four Emmy Awards was without a job. It just goes to show that anything can happen to anyone so you always have to be ready for the unexpected. And that kind of makes me think that maybe i should come up with a back-up plan for the future. - C.D. Period 6
It's amazing how such a highly praised and highly awarded television writer could have such problems finding work. An award winning soap opera writer shouldn't have so much trouble. However, after hearing from his brother-in-law that people help kids with their college essays as a profession, he knew that he could excel doing that. After getting only a small amount of responses from mailing his postcards, he decided to step it up and get his name out however he could. He would put fliers on kids cars, drive to college fairs where he would be escorted from, and call high school counselors to recommend him. Finally, his business grew to a point where he now runs a website to help students with their essays. However, he didn't reach this point easily and it is another great story about how hard-work can really pay off in entrepreneurial work.
I think that this story is very interesting. What kind of amazed me was the fact that Heller radically changed his career after he realized that there was no longer a market for soap opera writers. I think it takes a lot of courage to make such a drastic change. This reminds me of what you were saying in class the other day. You said that a person in likely to change their career up around seven times in a lifespan. I didn't believe you at first and the thought of being old and still trying to figure out what I want to do is daunting. This article gives a real life example of how we need to be flexible because unpredictable and wonderful things can come out of it.
This Article really defines the idea of the "perfect" job being different from the "prestigous" job. It was very interesting how Craig Heller had won many awards for writing good soap operas, yet could not a job for the field, until he had been a given an idea to pursue a small passion of his to help children with college essays. Slowly but surely, he made a career out of his passion and so he found his perfect job and I think his story is pretty inspiring to people who want to pursue their happiness in a career other than just benefits or finance.
I think this article was so interesting to read about! I thought that it was amazing how this well renowned writer who won multiple Emmy awards and has written soap operas for years, changed his career to a college essay tutor! It is fascinating that people change their careers in just a split moment. I still think that it is crazy when we mentioned in class that people change their career on average 7 times. I respected that Craig Heller, decided to find something that he was truly passionate about. -VM prd 6
I find Craig Heller to be a very lucky man. He has achieved two great dreams in one lifetime. First, he was able to write soap operas for ten years and then move on to college essay advice. It is a bit weird how they connect with each other, but I love the fact that he had the courage to move on from his past job. I would probably be gloating about the "good ol' days" and end up being broke. He, on the other hand, knew that he needed something else in his life and got it. It may not be as glamorous as Facebook, but it sure does have a happy ending. He is happy and earns money at the same time. What he achieved is very rare, and he should be proud for his success in two industries.
I think that Craig Heller is a very lucky business man, after his soap opera career finding a job was very hard. He was lucky enough to turn his strength, editing and writing college essays, in to a job. He realized that these essays were becoming increasingly important in the admissions process and he jumped on the opportunity to make money. Taking your strength and turning it in to a business is something a good business man can make a lot of money doing.
I am surprised that he was able to make a carrer out of his normal training for working for soap operas. I cant belive he switched carrers after so long. ~PRAPTI p.8
I really like how this article looks at a very good career transition example. Craig Heller writes a compelling story that encourages you to look for more than just one talent you may have within yourself--or for subdivisions within the talent(s) you have. His point is definitely clear: if one of your career interests seems to descend as the soap opera career did for Heller, it is crucial to keep yourself active by seeing if your talent can be a bit modified to invest in other work opportunities. That is precisely what Heller did when he changed from writing soap operas to a college application essay tutor. He slightly tweaked what his talent went to (from soap operas to college application essays), but kept it alight nevertheless and even diversified his talent of writing.
I thought this article was very interesting because it was about this man who won so many awards for writing soap operas for TV and was pretty successful and ended up out of work. It's surprising how someone who was doing so well lost his job. But then he found out that all the skills he was already using while writing soap operas could be used to help high school students write their college essays. He solved the problem of finding a job that was pretty similar to his last one in that he continues to help write creative pieces of work and is rewarded for it (when he finds out he was responsible for helping a student get into his first choice college).
ReplyDelete-Julia M. Period 6
I found it interesting that the man was able to immerse himself completely into a whole other career. Even though it was a slow start, he did not give up and was able to do some real good for the kids he worked with. And in the end he become very successful. It was a real life kind of success story, not that the guys who created Facebook or Dell weren't real. This story just felt more realistic for those of us who need time to figure out how to make it in life.
ReplyDeleteMarissa Goldstein pd 6
Its fortunate that this writer makes profit off of helping kids writing their college admission essays. But, once I saw the ridiculous prices on his website I immediately felt less pity for this man. If he is able to charge $500 to help a kid for their college essay and still have a successful business he must be making hundreds of thousands. In all seriousness, he was able to use his talents and use them to exploit high school students that are in desperate need for help to complete to what seems to them the most important essay of their lives.
ReplyDeleteJ.M 6 Period Economics
Entrepreneurs don’t always have an easy start. Some have to work their way up to become a successful company. In Craig Heller's case it wasn’t his first career choice. I found it interesting how he went from a television soap opera writer to a college essay advisor. He had to work much harder at succeeding in becoming a college essay advisor because he had to hand out flyers in order to gain customers. In the end he was still doing a job he enjoyed which was writing and editing which led him to create his own business.
ReplyDeleteKB Period 6
This article, College Essay Advice, From a Former Soap Opera Writer, by Craig Heller, shows two things. One thing being that no matter what career curve ball is thrown at you, you can turn it into something positive, even though Heller's soap opera career fell through, he was able to take something that he always did and make it his own business. Another point that I took away from this article was that business is ever evoleving. Heller took many steps until he had to make his own website. He took his business slow and watches as it started to evolve and he grew with his business as well.
ReplyDeleteLM p.d. 6
I thought this article was very interesting. It shows that changing careers are very common even if you were the best in your previous job. I liked how Craig Heller used the skills he learned from being a television show writer and applied it to become a college essay counselor. Now his business grows and he is helping students around the country
ReplyDelete-SC per 6
I found this article to be very interesting because after doing such amazing things for a period of time like write soap operas and get an award for script of the year and win grammys, after that period of time ended Craig Heller was at a stand still in work because he was getting zero job offers. After his brother in law suggested that he'd try out the college advisor industry it wasn't such a bad idea. What i liked about this article was that Heller found a new job that sparked his interest and he did what he needed to, to pursue this career like call schools and hand out flyers and he was determined to pursue this job career.
ReplyDeleteN.B. period 6
I really applaud this guy for not getting discouraged and doing nothing after he lost his job. If that was me, i honestly don't know if i'd be able to get back out there and find a whole new career, i'd be pretty upset. However, you can't just sit there and do nothing for the rest of your life, you need to pull yourself together and keep going, which is exactly what this man did.
ReplyDeleteI just found it shocking that this man who wrote soap operas for ten years and won four Emmy Awards was without a job. It just goes to show that anything can happen to anyone so you always have to be ready for the unexpected. And that kind of makes me think that maybe i should come up with a back-up plan for the future.
- C.D. Period 6
It's amazing how such a highly praised and highly awarded television writer could have such problems finding work. An award winning soap opera writer shouldn't have so much trouble. However, after hearing from his brother-in-law that people help kids with their college essays as a profession, he knew that he could excel doing that. After getting only a small amount of responses from mailing his postcards, he decided to step it up and get his name out however he could. He would put fliers on kids cars, drive to college fairs where he would be escorted from, and call high school counselors to recommend him. Finally, his business grew to a point where he now runs a website to help students with their essays. However, he didn't reach this point easily and it is another great story about how hard-work can really pay off in entrepreneurial work.
ReplyDeleteRobert Masci Period 6 Economics
I think that this story is very interesting. What kind of amazed me was the fact that Heller radically changed his career after he realized that there was no longer a market for soap opera writers. I think it takes a lot of courage to make such a drastic change. This reminds me of what you were saying in class the other day. You said that a person in likely to change their career up around seven times in a lifespan. I didn't believe you at first and the thought of being old and still trying to figure out what I want to do is daunting. This article gives a real life example of how we need to be flexible because unpredictable and wonderful things can come out of it.
ReplyDeleteThis Article really defines the idea of the "perfect" job being different from the "prestigous" job. It was very interesting how Craig Heller had won many awards for writing good soap operas, yet could not a job for the field, until he had been a given an idea to pursue a small passion of his to help children with college essays. Slowly but surely, he made a career out of his passion and so he found his perfect job and I think his story is pretty inspiring to people who want to pursue their happiness in a career other than just benefits or finance.
ReplyDeletePeriod 6 PM
I think this article was so interesting to read about! I thought that it was amazing how this well renowned writer who won multiple Emmy awards and has written soap operas for years, changed his career to a college essay tutor! It is fascinating that people change their careers in just a split moment. I still think that it is crazy when we mentioned in class that people change their career on average 7 times. I respected that Craig Heller, decided to find something that he was truly passionate about.
ReplyDelete-VM prd 6
I find Craig Heller to be a very lucky man. He has achieved two great dreams in one lifetime. First, he was able to write soap operas for ten years and then move on to college essay advice. It is a bit weird how they connect with each other, but I love the fact that he had the courage to move on from his past job. I would probably be gloating about the "good ol' days" and end up being broke. He, on the other hand, knew that he needed something else in his life and got it. It may not be as glamorous as Facebook, but it sure does have a happy ending. He is happy and earns money at the same time. What he achieved is very rare, and he should be proud for his success in two industries.
ReplyDeleteDL Period 6
I think that Craig Heller is a very lucky business man, after his soap opera career finding a job was very hard. He was lucky enough to turn his strength, editing and writing college essays, in to a job. He realized that these essays were becoming increasingly important in the admissions process and he jumped on the opportunity to make money. Taking your strength and turning it in to a business is something a good business man can make a lot of money doing.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was cool how based on the skills this guy had he was able to find a completely different career after his first one ended.
ReplyDeleteNM
Period 6
I am surprised that he was able to make a carrer out of his normal training for working for soap operas. I cant belive he switched carrers after so long. ~PRAPTI p.8
ReplyDeleteI really like how this article looks at a very good career transition example. Craig Heller writes a compelling story that encourages you to look for more than just one talent you may have within yourself--or for subdivisions within the talent(s) you have. His point is definitely clear: if one of your career interests seems to descend as the soap opera career did for Heller, it is crucial to keep yourself active by seeing if your talent can be a bit modified to invest in other work opportunities. That is precisely what Heller did when he changed from writing soap operas to a college application essay tutor. He slightly tweaked what his talent went to (from soap operas to college application essays), but kept it alight nevertheless and even diversified his talent of writing.
ReplyDelete