I quit a director-level job to work part-time at a massage therapy office. It was the best career move I've ever made.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
a woman poses at her desk with a laptop of a pen
Carole-Ann Penney.

Jessie Wyman Photography

I'm a federal employee watching colleagues get laid off by DOGE. It's been devastating — we aren't cogs, we're human beings.

Tech Insider : Business
A photo collage of a gentleman in a forest scene with layoff imagery

Crispin la valiente/Getty, DNY59/Getty, Tyler Le/BI

I'm a former recruiter for Google and Indeed. If I were labeled an underperformer, here's what I'd do next.

Tech Insider : Business
headshot of a woman in a green top
Erica Rivera spent three years at Indeed as a recruiter and around two years at Google.

Sebastian Rivera

I grew up poor and now make $150K in tech. Prioritizing myself allowed me to give back to my parents and family.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology, Travel
a family of five poses around a dinner table
Viviana Vazquez, middle, and her family.

Viviana Vazquez

I'm still looking for a job 8 months after my layoff. I have 20 years of experience and can't get hired — I'm scared.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
woman applying to jobs
Jennifer Gittelman says one regret may be holding her back from getting hired.

Maria Korneeva/Getty Images

How Gen Z turned awkward holiday photos into viral gold for JCPenney Portrait Studios

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Jenny Powers, her husband and daughter pose for an awkward holiday photo in blue Hanukah themed sweaters looking into a light source off to the left/
The awkward holiday photo trend made up 30% of holiday photos at JCPenney Portrait Studios in 2024.

Courtesy of Jenny Powers/JCPenney Portrait Studios by Lifetouch

I grew up poor and now make $150K in tech. Prioritizing myself allowed me to give back to my parents and family.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology, Travel
a family of five poses around a dinner table
Viviana Vazquez, middle, and her family.

Viviana Vazquez

My children don't get presents — I invest for them instead. Teaching them financial literacy is more important.

Tech Insider : Business
Nicole Chan Loeb
Nicole Chan Loeb and her husband choose to invest money for their children rather than giving them physical presents on holidays and birthdays.

Daniel Ebersole

I don't give Christmas gifts. The holidays got better when I stopped playing the 'who bought the most expensive present' game.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
A Santa hand holds out a piece of coal.

cmannphoto/ Getty Images

How to know when it's the right time to leave your job, according to a 20-year HR vet

Tech Insider : Business
A woman sitting with a laptop in her lap, staring at floating clocks.
Jamie Jackson said that burnout could be one of four major signs that it's time to leave your job.

Anthony Harvie/Getty Images

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