Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy's own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?
My son, 25, is at a career crossroads. He has a Master's in product design from a leading university and quickly found a short-term placement at an excellent local manufacturing company. His work on a product there has been brought to market and resulted in his being recognised as a full contributor. References were excellent.
He then worked with an early-stage company (funded by grants) developing applications for a new technology. This cycle of work is now complete. His relations with the company are again excellent. He is now hoping to find something that uses his skills but which will help him explore the possibilities a little further. He is at a bit of a loss to know where/how to look.
He has an entrepreneurial nature, with small initiatives under way all the time – designing and printing T-shirts for sale and managing bars and promotional work in his spare time. He is interested in graphic design and also in charity fundraising and is looking for something socially useful.
My difficulty in advising him is that I do not understand how varied and adaptable product design skills can be. Should he be exploring the options more widely, possibly by working in a range of jobs via an agency? I suspect there are a variety of rewarding and challenging paths he could take – and perhaps there is a professional body he could apply to? Any advice or direction would be helpful.
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy's and readers' help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or reply personally.
