Can I get my job back if I get fired?

My 16-year-old granddaughter is a junior in high school and unsure of what she wants to study in college — and her career choices are all over the map. Can you recommend any books or publications she can read to help her narrow her focus? I remind her that, considering the high cost of college, choosing a field of study which will lead to a career is most important.

Everyone knows growing up in New York City that your career path and life are predetermined based on the preschool one gets into and the career coach you hire with the nanny. So if you're only just thinking about this now for your 16-year-old, well, I'm terribly sorry — your granddaughter is doomed and shouldn't even bother. However, if she grew up anywhere more sane, then I would urge both of you to chill. I can tell you're a loving grandpa, so if you want to give her the best advice, then tell her career goal No. 1 is for her to do what she loves — something she would get excited about waking up to do everyday. And she doesn't need to know that now. Visit different colleges of all sizes, locations and curriculum offerings. Encourage her to love the journey of exploration and discovery. The rest will follow.

I was hired by a grocery store owner to work for the produce manager, who didn't interview me. From day one he treated me like a clerk instead of as an assistant manager, rejecting every suggestion I made for improvements. Eventually the owner fired me and admitted that it wasn't my fault, but they were paying me too much for what they actually needed. Is this fair? Is there anything I can do to get my job back?

The first mistake was made by the owner by not having your day-to-day boss also interview you so that you each could meet and check each other out. That boss/employee relationship is as personal and delicate as picking the right peach or tomato. Everyone should insist on meeting the person for whom they will work directly before taking a job. Without knowing if there are other reasons why the owner let you go, there isn't much you can do to get your job back, other than to stay in touch with the owner and let her know of your interest in working for her in any capacity she needs.