10 Super Weird College Majors Youve Never Heard Of

10 Super Weird College Majors Youve Never Heard OfYou have a passion for something, but you arent sure whether theres a major for that. Were in an exciting, evolving time now where, depending on where you choose to study, you can kind of go yur own way. There are tons of weird, but cooland realmajors out there for you to explore and extend what drives you. So pick your passion, follow your bliss, and major in something that matters to you. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Here are 10 of the weirdest and the coolest ones weve found.1. Adventure EdIf you go to Plymouth State University in New Hampshire, you can take courses in Rock Climbing, Canoe Paddling, Wilderness Expedition, etc. in preparation to help teach kids, adults, at-risk populations, and yourself to have challenging experiences in the great outdoors. Your job prospects include working for outdoor education at state or national parks, or even outdoor adventure programs the worl d over.2. BagpipingShow your Scottish rootsat Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, you can major in Bagpipe Performance. The major has been around for 75 years.3. Canadian StudiesAt Duke University in North Carolina, its not all about American Studies. You can study the literature, politics, and culture of the giant country to the northregardless of whether or not you hail from there. Learn, in-depth, about our neighbors4. AuctioneeringThink youd make a great auctioneer? If you go to Harrisburg Area Community College in Pennsylvania and study things like Audience Communications, Auctioneering Law, Procurement and Appraisal of Merchandise, and Preparations for the Auction, youll prep yourself for a very specific career. Job prospects obvious5. The BeatlesNo, really. At Liverpool Hope University in the UK, you can examine the significance of the music of The Beatles in the construction of identities, audiences, ethnicities and industries, and localities. Job prospects Beatles his torian (yes, apparently that is a thing) or Popular Music Studies specialist.6. CitrusIf you go to Florida Southern University, where citrus farming is key, you can learn all you need to know about planting, irrigating, weed managing, pruning, fertilizing, pest controlling, and all other general citrus tree managing. Job prospects are surprisingly numerous work for large citrus production companies, grove service companies, agricultural cooperatives, juice processing plants, agrochemical and fertilizer companies, or at citrus research facilities.7. Comic ArtComic arts are a real art these days. Study History, Concepts, Storytelling, Print Web Publishing, Composition, Character Development, etc. at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, then take a job at manga studios as a cartoonist, illustrator or author or in comic book art production.8. EgyptologyLove mummies? At Brown University in Rhode Island, you can prepare yourself for a career as an Egyptologist, historian, or specia lized archaeologist by studying all things Ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian.9. Farrier ScienceLearn how to shoe horses at Mesalands Community College in New Mexico. Enjoy courses such as Equine Anatomy and Physiology, Horseshoeing Theory, Blacksmithing, then find yourself your dream career as a self-employed farrier, or work in equine or agricultural industries.10. Pop CultureAre you that person who knows everything about pop culture and doesnt really care much about anything else? Theres a degree for you at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Your course load would include things like Intro to Popular Culture or Popular Culture and Media, Black Popular Culture, Television as Popular Culture, Folklife and materie Culture, and History of Popular Literature. And a wide variety of careers might be open to you, including positions in advertising, public relations, journalism, mass media (management, performance, production and marketing), teaching, library and museum work. It never hurts to be a well-rounded person who knows a ton about whats going on around you.

How to Pinpoint Your Biggest Strength and Talk About it in Interviews, From a VP

How to Pinpoint Your Biggest Strength and Talk About it in Interviews, From a VP Sarah Redgrave has a passion for helping others realize their talent and achieve their goals. Its no wonder she ended up at As VP Total Reward Operations, Redgrave assists a staff of 30,000 teachers and other employees do their best work for the children of KinderCare. That means developing talent who are developing talent a win-win for Redgrave. Redgrave abfluged at the company in 2015 as VP of Total Rewards meaning she oversees compensation, medical plans, retirement plans and other employee benefits within the company. Then, a few years ago, she was given the unique opportunity to oversee some of the operations teams. According to Redgrave, the opportunity to get outside of your element and follow your dreams is common in the organization. You can make incredible impact at KinderCare, she said. This is a company where ideas are valued and acted upon. I love it that you can have a imagination one da y and then be hugely supported in bringing that vision to life.The wealth of opportunity is just one reason KinderCare employees report feeling fulfilled in their roles. Redgrave credits the companys belief in the power of engagement as another reason KinderCare is a great distributions-mix to work. Every year, we measure how engaged our employees are and how engaged our families are (the parents and families of the children in our care), she shared. From there, we actively work on improving our engagement scores so that we are the best place to work and the best place for your children. We just won our third Gallup Great Workplace award, and our families are giving us higher and higher engagement scores each year.She also says KinderCares deep respect for the importance of Early Childhood Education (ECE) makes their business uniquely impactful. The success of their programs makes it easy to understand and support the KinderCare mission. At KinderCare, we are fortunate to have a tea m of accomplished ECE experts with both academic and classroom experience, who translate current research on ECE into best practices in our classrooms, she shared. No other early childhood education provider gives children the kind of start in life that we can. Its why parents love us their children are adored and respected, having fun, and their developing brains are getting the start they need to become confident learners in school and life.Despite her role in helping others learn, Redgrave says shes still learning herself. Right now, shes working on slowing down easier said than done, when youre responsible for the resources of 30,000 employees. One of the biggest lessons Ive learned is that when I move too fast, I overcomplicate things. If I can slow down and get some time to think, a simpler solution usually appears, she shared. Like many working moms, Redgrave is also working on slowing her negative self-talk and being present in the separate spheres of her life. When Im wit h my family, I need to remember to give myself permission to really be with them. I need to remember that work will be fine. Everyone will live without me while my family gets my full attention, she said. And Im a good mom even while Im knee deep in spreadsheets. Its ok to just focus on those for a while.After years of mentoring others, Redgrave argues that all women should spend more time thinking and talking about their strengths rather than worrying about their weaknesses. However, meditating on the best parts of you requires figuring them out first. She says learning your strengths is the best advice for any career woman. Figure out your strengths, like really spend time figuring them out. Then remind yourself of them until you feel proud of what you can bring, she said. Maybe youre good at being curious, maybe youre a whiz with numbers in your head whatever it is, spend time really soaking in your own power and skill. Then, when you are interviewing, you can talk about your ow n unique strengths with lots of authority and authenticity. And you can talk about them unapologetically. She also advises women not to sweat the small stuff. A career failure can actually be a career win.Think of your career as a jungle gym, not a ladder.--Fairygodboss is proud to partner with KinderCare.

An Unbiased Perspective on Resume Writing Serivce New Bedford Ma

An Unbiased Perspective on Resume Writing Serivce New Bedford Ma If you locate a city not listed on ur website, please get in touch with us and well add the forecast to our database. Theres no reference provided to the surface of the cloud. Its possible to browse the list below (which is in no specific order) or hunt for a writer that specializes in your career situation using the links below. Find more information about our data sources. The Basics of Resume Writing Serivce New Bedford Ma Weve helped thousands and thousands achieve their career targets and therefore are deeply devoted to supplying the best service possible. His resumes pack a punch and youll benefit from his expert services I will return to you by the next working day (or sooner). Youre a personal services business. Type of Resume Writing Serivce New Bedford Ma You may estimate what the forecast may be at a specific time using the times before and after the time you desire. Additionally, it gives caregi vers the much-needed break out of their hectic routine. You will be given a separate email with instructions once the auction was approved. Meanwhile, continue the excellent work No last changes are created or drafts completed without our clients approval. We double checked their prices and guarantees they supply. His prices are incredibly affordable and he does an outstanding job. They are very reasonable as well. Marc Grandmaison Operations Director Marc is an extremely experienced, skilled, and talented hospitality professional that has been in the business for over 20 decades. I would advise working with him. Jodi Yamashita Collector Jodi has worked in collections and client service for the past ten years. Thanks James for that good work The Dirty Facts About Resume Writing Serivce New Bedford Ma ur exam, like our pre-qualifying procedure, is among the most challenging in the business. We invest the opportunity to offer expert advice on all parts of your resume. Our strategy is to allow it to be simple and easy that you find the resume you want. The approach is really straightforward. The Fight Against Resume Writing Serivce New Bedford Ma There are even instructions about how to compose your first resume, or what jobs students ought to be comfortable searching for. Allow the professionals assist you in your mission to find work. Dont be afraid to ask him for aid. To submit an application for a position listed below, click the position title youre interested in and click the apply link. I was truly trying to find guidance and felt that Peter provided substantial info and real existence advise to higher my opportunities to find the next job. Before you fill out an application for a position, youll need to reassess your application carefully. As soon as you submit your application for a position, you arent going to have the ability to make any adjustments to the application. New Questions About Resume Writing Serivce New Bedford Ma If you are searching for a senior center in Bedford, you have arrived at the correct place. I would have never been in a position to compose a resume like the one Joe did. If youre planning a road trip, you may also want to compute the complete driving time from Bedford, MA to JBC so you may observe when you will arrive at your destination. If youre planning a road trip, you could also wish to compute the overall driving time from Bedford, MA to Groton, MA so you may observe when youre arrive at your destination. Resume Writing Serivce New Bedford Ma - the Conspiracy Once you get your Resumes Planet custom resume, you can ask for revisions free of charge within 30 days. If youre on a budget and require a professional resume, Cheap Resume Writing Service is the best way to go. Or if you would like to physically get a copy of the finished product. Resumes Planet is just one of the most reputable services on the net for resume writing, despite their low rates. Contact Crow ninshield today for each of your property management requirements Please be sure your payment amount reflects your selection of payment system. On-line applications are stored on a safe website. Just bear in mind there are not any guarantees of accuracy or suitability for a specific function.

Short Article Reveals the Undeniable Facts About Project Manager Resume Sample and How It Can Affect You

Short Article Reveals the Undeniable Facts About Project Manager Resume Sample and How It Can Affect You Bear in mind that employers might already have an awareness of job duties, particularly if theyre all in the exact same field, and instead need to see something which impresses them and makes you stand out. They often use Boolean searches to seek local professionals. The employers might have run into related resume habits inside their encounter, so it is quite important to modify the resume template to ensure it seems elend the exact same as the normal 1. Every employer would like to know your experience is a fit for her or his organization. A manager is a person with a wonderful deal of responsibility to his staff and the organization. Your manager resume clearly needs to concentrate on your particular experience and should not be overly generic. Notwithstanding, particularly for contractor roles, the hiring manager may want to see project details. A hiring manager searc hing for a Project Manager is searching for an organized individual with superior understanding of product administration. Project Managers typically possess superior technical expertise, and a genuine comprehension of consumers. Taking the opportunity to create a work search program will pay off for that CareerOneStops Resume Guide can help you create a resume that will stick out in todays job. Many people work in jobs where it is not always feasible to quantify our impact. To begin with, think beyond sales and profits and ask yourself whether youve made a quantifiable effect in different ways. When it has to do with researching the company, there are many things which you ought to search for. If you need a job which is at the center of the organization, make certain to demonstrate your qualifications for that place in your resume. Also, learn why people arent hired for available jobs. The Meaning of Project Manager Resume Sample Project managers are therefore accountable for keeping the projects on track and possessing the capacity to foresee the whole project for a whole in any respect times. In addition, try to explain why you are the best candidate for the part. For instance, if you managed a group of construction workers, say how a lot of people you managed. For instance, if you take a look at an organization as a whole, its within IT that youre fruchtwein likely to locate the most structured, logical, and left brained people. Recruiters rarely spend more than a couple of seconds reviewing an application so if your resume is quite cluttered or does not present the info they are seeking in a means which makes it obvious youre not likely to obtain an interview. Beginning your resume with a summary section is a great approach to pull attention. Additional information on keywords and phrases are found below. Your internet presence is far more important now, and thus your header should consist of links to anything relevant and of expert quality. Things You Should Know About Project Manager Resume Sample Project Managers should know a number of topics, including information technology, advertising, and construction, based on the facts of their undertaking. Creativity and innovation are rare in the area of project administration. Proof which you will deliver the things that they require. Proof you will do a great job. List references sales in the event the job create instructs you to achieve that. Use facts and figures from the particular projects you have been able to show what youve accomplished. If youve got an extensive project list, make an addendum page with your complete list to supply separately. What to have in your project list Beyond the fundamental details (project title, client, place, value) include more information to inform the entire story of that initiative. The Honest to Goodness Truth on Project Manager Resume Sample Project Managers make certain that project objectives are attained in time and within budget. Since the candidate has several years of experience, it isnt vital to include months in the dates. You can write about your key accomplishments with every one of the significant projects handled. Position this information at the base of your resume.

How to Complain (to Actually Get What You Want)

How to Complain (to Actually Get What You Want)How to Complain (to Actually Get What You Want)The coffee is too hot.The air conditioning is too cold.That policy is unfair.The old way worked better.I always get the hardest assignments.My boss never says thank you.You see the problems in your office- the processes that could be improved, the policies that should be changed, the little annoyances that, over time, turn into big annoyances- and you want them fixed. But no matter how many times you complain, leidhing happens. Your objections fall on deaf ears and things stay the same- the way theyve always been. Sound familiar?Well, during my years as both a teammate and a manager, Ive been the sounding board for (OK, and maybe the occasional source of) complaints at my office, and Ive learned that theres a right and wrong way to complain. One way will get you labeled as a whiner- and one will actually get you what you want. So, the next time you have something to complain about, here are my tips for doing the latter.Consider the Opposite Point of ViewBefore you let a complaint slip out, take a moment to consider the opposite point of view. Is the office always freezing? Well, the facilities director probably thinks its better to be on the cold side, where employees can put on a sweater, than the warmer side, where all employees can do is, well, sweat.Stuck on something a little more serious, like a newly implemented company policy that you dont fully support- or understand? Jumping to a poorly thought-out complaint (e.g., Its so unfair that we cant wear jeans every day anymore) is the easy way out- but thinking about the true reason something happened (Well, employees really were crossing the line in their interpretation of the casual dress code) can help you gain a wider perspective. If you truly cant see the reasoning behind it (No, really- why can we only take time off in half-day increments?), ask your manager for insight. If he or she can provide a reasonable e xplanation, youll have your answer. And if your manager comes up with an equally questioning response (e.g., You know, thats a great point)? Well, youll be able to more effectively form your complaint to take up the chain. Dont Cry WolfIn my office, theres one employee in particular whos been labeled the complainer. Whether he thinks a new process is inefficient or the new window blinds are letting in too much light, he makes sure that his objections are known to everyone around him. But while its OK- and, in fact, usually encouraged- to point out inefficiencies or ways that things could be better, theres a big difference between complaining to make improvements and complaining for the sake of, well, complaining. Because when you grumble about anything and everything, it starts becoming hard to distinguish what really deserves attention. Instead, pick your battles wisely, focusing on the things that are both important (i.e., directly affect you and your job) and changeable (i.e., no t the fact that you prefer another brand of coffee over the one that your company has used for the past 20 years). When you voice your complaints strategically, youll make much more of an impact.Cut Back on the WhineRemember when you were a kid, and youd shout your complaints to your parents from across the house, drawing out the word mom with a few extra os for emphasis?Well, no matter your age, its easy to let a bit of that same whining tone into your voice when you approach the subject of your complaints (e.g., Seriously, why do we have to do this? This is so ridiculous). I know- you may assume that, as a professional, you dont do this- but I say it because Ive seen it. A lot.To be on the safe side, check your tone before you voice your grievance. Begin your objection by making sure that its a good time for whoever youre complaining to (read not when he or she is about to head into a meeting or is packing up for the night). Then, start with a patient, respectful intro, like, Ive been noticing something lately thats been affecting my ability to do my job. Do you have time to chat about it? With this, you wont immediately put your subject on the defensive. Instead, youll convey that not only have you thought about it carefully, but that its something that you truly think deserves his or her time- which will make him or her much more receptive to your thoughts. Back Up Your ComplaintIts easy to complain about something you dont like its not so easy to come up with a realistic solution to that problem. One of the most frustrating things about being on the receiving end of a complaint is just that The complainer is often quick to point out a problem, but usually not so ready to suggest a resolution. To complain most effectively, youll need both relevant examples of the problem and a feasible way to fix it. By explaining a few specific ways that something has directly affected you and your teammates, youll prove that a problem exists, and by suggesting a solution , youll convey that youre invested in the issue and willing to put in significant effort to address it. Venting can be cathartic, but if you really want the problem to be addressed, you need to bring it to light the right way. Constantly complaining to your manager or teammate wont get you far- but respectfully pointing out an issue, explaining how it affects you, and suggesting a possible solution will put you on the fast track to a resolution. Photo of megaphone courtesy of Shutterstock.

Extreme frugality vs abundance mentality

Extreme frugality vs abundance mentalityExtreme frugality vs abundance mentalityExtreme frugalityisnt just about cutting cable or growing your own vegetables. Its about cutting your lifestyle and expenses to the bare bones.Frugalistas are the cheapest of the cheap. They live on beans and rice, rice and beans with the hope that one day theyll hatch the golden egg.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreOkaymaybe thats an outlandish portrayal ofextreme frugal living, but Ive done my fair share of skimping out on spending money so that we could save enough for a specific cause.Sometimes we lived super frugally so that we could keep the lights on andfood on the table. Thankfully, were at a place in our lives where we dont have to be insanely frugalwechoose towithin reason.Folks with an abundance mentality, on the other hand, believe that there is more than enough to go around. They believe with all their hearts that they already have all they need (and then some).Go to instagram and search abundance and theuniverseprovides. Youll see a plethora of motivational posts to help shift your mindtischset.These are obviously two completely different ways of living, and yet some people have found a way to combine the two and live an amazingly abundant life.3 Reasons for Practicing Extreme FrugalityThere are three main reasons why folks choose to be frugal freaks.Out of NecessityOut of WantThey were Raised to be FrugalLets break these down real quick.Theres a reason I mentioned beans and rice earlier.Dave Ramseyhas offered beans and rice, rice and beans as a way of life when working on paying off your debt, also known as Baby Step 2.Necessity- Youre broke, living paycheck to paycheck and dont know where or how youll get the money to put food on the table, let alone rent.Want- Youre sick of being broke. Maybe you have plenty of money to pay the bills, but your monthly payments a re nickel and diming you. You want out. So you give up the extras so that you can finally be free of the financial burden.You were raised to be frugal- Mama and Daddy didnt believe in credit cards (or banks, for that matter), and you have a really good savings account in your gun safe (or sock drawer) at home.Whether youre living paycheck to paycheck or just working on paying off debt so you can departure working towards bigger goals, like funding your retirement account or paying off your house early, you need a plan.Living frugally out of necessity often means temporarily delaying gratification in order to reach a specific goals. Dave calls this extreme frugality gazelle intensity. Its basically stripping your budget down to the bare minimum, no extras, multiple jobs in order to pay off your debt.If you want to learn how to start a budget,go here. Im also sharing a freedebt snowball spreadsheetwhere you can calculate how many months it will take to pay off your debt.Get yours here .How to Live Abundantly Frugal1. Choose Your Tribe WiselyKeeping up with the Jonesesis very tempting when theyre getting new cars and boats and campers and traveling all the time.You haveno geschftslebentrying to match other peoples lifestyle Hang with humble, down-to-earth people who have some of the same financial goals.If you find that you struggle with the comparison trap, check out Rachel Cruzs Best SellerLove Your Life Not Theirson Audible. You might think you dont have time to read, but let me tell you something, sister.There isalwaystime tolisten to an audiobookwhile youre putting on makeup, cooking, driving, etc.Which brings me to my next point2. Make Personal Development a PriorityThere wasnta lotof good that came out of my time as a Beachbody coach. If you are a reader of my blog, you know that I cut ties with the multi-level marketing goliath 4 years ago and havent looked back. You can read more aboutwhy I quit Beachbody coachinghere.But Beachbody wasnt all bad. The comp any taught me about the importance of personal development. I never realized how empowering it is to learn through audiobooks.I know it sounds cheesy, but you can instantly lighten your mood by listening to something positive and uplifting.Everyone knows aboutAudible, but I preferScribdfor my audiobook experience. Its only $8.99 per month and includes unlimited audiobooks, ebooks, sheet music, magazines, etc.So much cheaper than Audible and (honestly) better.Sign up for a free trial here.If you want to stick with Amazons Audible, you can get 2 free audiobooks when yousign up for a free Audible trial.3. Change Your Money MindsetI talked a bit about abundance mentality earlier and how you can easily find all sorts of mainstream advice to bow to the universe, and the universe has your back and it will provide.Im personally a believer in Christ, and some of this is hogwash, in my opinion. I do believe that we have the ability to will something into existence, but the universe isnt God.F ocus on positive thoughts and set goals. For example, if your goal is to increase your income by $10,000 this year, take a look at all of the ways to make this happen.Then, believe that it has already happened. You just have to follow a couple of steps to finalize things.Ask your boss for a raise. If you arent comfortable asking directly, then rephrase it and say, What would it take for me to work towards a raise of X dollars in the next six months?. Maybe there is a position opening up that could offer promotion potential.Another way to work towards increasing your income is to start a side hustle. I previously wrote about76 Side Hustle Ideas to Start This Year. Theres plenty of inspiration to get started. Im currently earning about $2,000 per month from this blog, and a year ago I was only earning $100 monthly.You can literally write about anything that interests you. Follow my simple tutorial onhow to start a blog, and you could be up and running in 30 minutesI know theres a lot of confusion about blogging. How can a person get paid for writing blog posts. And you might be scared of what youll do when you actually start making money. How will you manage it? You might barely be able to keep your personal finances in order. Dont stress too much about this right now. Just get started. There are plenty of articles on how to separate business and personal expenses.But you wont know what youre capable of until you start doing things that make you uncomfortable (and a little afraid). Trust me. I stay scared. It keeps me on my toesPrioritize your ExpensesIf you want to live abundantly frugal, youll need to start prioritizing what you spend your money on.Print out your last months bank statement and take a look at where your money was spent.Do you have a goal to spend $10,000 per year on travel, visiting a new place every year? Why did you spend $600 last month eating out at restaurants?Im not here to judge you.Its up to youto decide whats important to you.find your WHYand make adjustments so that your budget aligns with that.Then, you wont feel like youre missing out on something by skipping those expensive dinners because youre funding one of your dreamsSuper Frugality is one extreme in which Id caution you to steer clear. Its simply a fad diet for finances that leads to burnout.What happens when youre tired of starving yourself?You pig out. And everything youve been working so hard for goes down the drain. Find a healthy balance between extreme frugality and abundance mentality, and youll set yourself up for success.Please considersubscribing to my newsletter Id love to be able to encourage you to take control of your money, your blog, and your businessThis article first appeared on MelissaBlevins.com.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityTh e worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

In the office satire Severance, workplace routine literally kills

In the office satire Severance, workplace routine literally killsIn the office satire Severance, workplace routine literally killsFor those of us who have felt trapped in jobs we hate, the walking dead in Ling Mas new dystopian novel Severance may seem all too familiar. In Mas satire of a world like ours, the victims who get fatally infected by Shen Fever get stuck in a zombie-like state and are doomed to repeat actions they did in life. They are not driven by a bloodthirsty need for brains, but their mundane routines. Retail workers keep folding clothes, office drones keep typing at their desks, families keep setting the table for dinner. More unsettling than a violent zombie is a villain you cannot outrun - the one that comes from within your own mind. Shen Fever being a disease of remembering, the fevered are trapped indefinitely in their memories, the Asian American narrator of the novel, Candace Chen, explains. But what is the difference between the fevered and us?Its the grand question each survivor faces as they Google 7 stages of grief and Maslows pyramid before infrastructures collapse. The book follows what kind of life would you seek if an infectious disease wiped out the worlds population and you were among the survivors spared. You are suddenly freed from the drudgery of work, but now you are forced to reckon with what you actually want. Ma got the inspiration to write the book through zu sich own experiences with an office job. She started writing Severance at her desk in the weeks before a mass layoff as she watched colleagues who had been at the company for decades lose their jobs. It welches a fun apocalyptic short story but there was an anger to it, Ma told Ladders. I realized that the anger had to do with notions of work, and I wrote it as a novel to tap in and see where that anger might lead me.On what keeps people in jobs they hate In one of the darkly comedic chapters, Candace, our Millennial narrator, agrees to a big payout in exchange t o keep working at her Manhattan office, an office that is increasingly deserted as employees flee the city in hopes of not catching Shen Fever. The employees that remain with Candace are the ambitious young ones like her. They dress up in button-ups and mucksmuschenstill squabble over office politics even when upper management is gone.Everyone was keeping score, Candace notes. Like who would get to compile and send the weekly productivity reports to management, who arrived on time and who arrived late, who heeded corporate policy by wearing those hideous N95 masks, who was taking the initiative for restocking the coffee filters.Later, as the office clears out entirely, Candace, the remaining survivor, moves and sets up camp in an executives office. Without a family to go to, she stays moored to the routine of a day job. In her Chinese mothers dying words to her, she told Candace that her goal was for Candace to be of use. Theres something about this maybe immigrant imperative to be useful, and to be successful, that comes into play when she remains in the office that long, Ma said.When Candaces boyfriend Jonathan urges her to quit her job and leave New York City with him, their difference in work philosophies leads to their breakup. You live your life idealistically. You think its possible to opt out of the system. No regular income, no health insurance. You quit jobs on a dime, Candace thinks at him on their last night together. You think this is freedom but I still see the bare, painstakingly cheap way you live, the scrimping and saving, and that is not freedom either.On our own Shen Fever loopsIt does not take a worldwide plague to relate to the frustration of not having who you are in your head fit the version of you going to work.For Ma, the book allowed her to explore her own reasons for overstaying at her office job. Part of writing this novel was trying to figure out whats keeping me tied to this job. Everyone could see the writing on the wall. Other e mployees were finding new jobs, but for some reason I never did, Ma said. I really enjoyed my coworkers. I did like the lifestyle that I had built around that job. But I also knew that because the company was not advancing, because they were making layoffs, that it was not a sustainable lifestyle.Severance is a call to action against letting the comforts of rituals stop you from going after what you want - whether thats leaving a toxic job or escaping the apocalypse. Habits can anchor and sink you. Severance poses questions about what actions our minds will remember us for. You do not want yourShen Fever loop behavior to be you scrolling through your phone, checking your emails even in death.I dont mean to say that routines are a bad thing, Ma said. But there is a certain point where routine can kill.