I got a job and immediately knew it wasn't a good fit. I quit in less than a year to take care of my mental health.

Tech Insider
Basant Shenouda headshot standing outdoors.
Basant Shenouda said her toxic job taught her what to look for in a career and company.

Courtesy of Basant Shenouda

I went from a Big Tech job to folding clothes at a retail store. My new role gave me confidence and joy when I needed it the most.

Tech Insider
Photo collage featuring Hady Mendez, a retail shopping cart, a cursor, and an

Criss Cross; Alyssa Powell/BI

I was laid off from Lyft and it was a relief. Here's exactly how I used my severance to land somewhere better.

Tech Insider
Ziwei Li
Ziwei Li

Courtesy of Ziwei Li

I supercommute every week from New York City to Ann Arbor for work. I have to pay my own way, but I love getting to enjoy the benefits of both cities.

Tech Insider
Susan Miller at University of Michigan football game with three students wearing school merchandise.
Susan Miller enjoys living in New York and teaching in Michigan.

Courtesy of Susan Miller

I built a tiny house in my parents' backyard and lived rent-free for 5 years. It helped me save money to see the world — and taught me how to live simply.

Tech Insider
Mckean Matson's tiny home in her parents' backyard.
Mckean Matson built a 350-square-foot tiny home in her parents' backyard.

Courtesy of Mckean Matson

I worked for Beyoncé for a year. She wasn't a diva and wasn't passive — it was a master class in digital strategy

Tech Insider
Photo collage featuring Marcus Collins, Beyoncé, a laptop, and three little bees representing the Beehive
Marcus Collins oversaw Beyoncé's digital ads and social media for a year.

Marcus Collins; Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Parkwood; Alyssa Powell/BI

I steered ships like the Dali for 13 years. Entering and leaving a port is extremely challenging — here's what should have been done in Baltimore.

Tech Insider
The remains of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after it was struck by a container ship on Tuesday.
The remains of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after it was struck by a container ship on Tuesday.

Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

I worked for Oprah for 3 years. Here's how a thank-you note after my interview helped me land the job.

Tech Insider
Oprah Winfrey
Boodie worked for Oprah for three years.

Vera Anderson/WireImage; iStock; BI

I'm Gen X, but sometimes I wish I wasn't. I admire Gen Z for speaking up in the workplace.

Tech Insider
Hady Mendez

Courtesy of Hady Mendez; BI

I'm a recruiting manager. Here are 3 things I would never lie about in a job interview — and how employers catch liars.

Tech Insider
Mouth on computer screen shouting
Bonnie Dilber shares three things people should never lie about in their job applications.

Westend61/Getty Images.

Subscribe to manseen-logan