Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jodi Kantor acknowledges the challenges young people face in today’s tough job market but encourages them to stay hopeful and aspirational about their careers. Inspired by conversations with Columbia University students, Kantor explored what drives happiness and success in work, leading her to write “How to Start: Discovering Your Life’s Work.” She emphasizes the importance of finding a career that blends both craftsmanship—mastery of skills and expertise—and meeting genuine needs in the world.

Kantor explains craftsmanship as the combination of technical skill and human touch that makes work valuable and distinctive, such as a surgeon’s precision or a writer’s voice, which AI cannot replicate. Parallel to this is the pursuit of “need,” where successful individuals identify real problems or gaps in their communities or industries and apply their skills to address them. She believes observing one’s surroundings carefully helps pinpoint these needs and align career paths accordingly.

Despite widespread concern about AI’s impact on employment, Kantor advises against basing major career choices on fears about technology. She notes that uncertainty about the future workplace is high, and recommends focusing on durable career principles rather than reacting to predictions. Her goal is to offer timeless guidance to help young workers build meaningful careers irrespective of evolving technological changes.

Kantor also challenges the advice to simply “follow your passion,” calling it impractical in today’s environment. Instead, she encourages young professionals to match their talents and interests with tangible needs in society, combining passion with purpose. This approach, she argues, is more likely to lead to fulfilling work and long-term success in an unpredictable labor market.