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    Dear Jonathan

    Jonathan Black is director of the careers service at the University of Oxford and answers your questions on career development and working life every fortnight.

    Have a question for Jonathan? Email him at dear.jonathan@ft.com

    Add to myFT Digest

    Add this topic to your myFT Digest for news straight to your inbox

    • Wednesday, 15 November, 2023
      Work & Careers
      Should I stick with corporate law or switch to something more fulfilling?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

    • Wednesday, 1 November, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      Can I do a finance PhD without a relevant degree?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      Graduates wearing mortar boards
    • Wednesday, 18 October, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      What career path should I pursue for my MBA?

      Your questions for our expert — and readers’ advice

      The campus of the University of California, Los Angeles
    • Thursday, 5 October, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      Am I in danger of becoming a workplace ‘lifer’?

      Your questions for our expert — and readers’ advice

      Silhouette of an office worker in front of a city skyline
    • Monday, 2 October, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      Can I start a business when I have MS?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      A student walks in Glasgow university’s cloisters
    • Wednesday, 6 September, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      Is a gap year after university a good idea?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      A woman in a business suit looks out of an office window
    • Monday, 4 September, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      How do I switch from a desk job to hands-on work?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      silhouette of a person in a harness hanging from the side of a pylon wth another windmill in the background
    • Monday, 21 August, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      I want to leave medicine but still use my knowledge — where do I start?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      Nurses in blue theatre suits rush a patient on a trolley along a corridor
    • Wednesday, 26 July, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      How do I create a cohesive team and eradicate toxic behaviour?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      A woman holding a document in discussion with a colleague
    • Wednesday, 12 July, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      Is it worth doing a PhD when an academic career is not the goal?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      Students in a lecture hall
    • Wednesday, 28 June, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      I have been overlooked at work in favour of a less-qualified outsider — how do I address it?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      A woman sits and stares at her computer screen at work
    • Monday, 26 June, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      I wish to return to the UK from Nigeria — how should I approach my job search?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      A man sat at a desk with a laptop, looking into the distance with a thoughtful pose
    • Monday, 12 June, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      How do I leave academia and move into management consultancy?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

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    • Monday, 29 May, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      How can I convince my employer to allow me to work remotely overseas?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      A worker at a laptop drinking a cup of takeaway coffee
    • Monday, 15 May, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      Would it be unwise to leave my well-paid job to pursue a career in film?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

    • Monday, 1 May, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      I want to move out of my tech job but how do I sell my transferable skills?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      Co-workers standing round a table with a laptop on it, while others walk past
    • Monday, 17 April, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      I have a flexible role but the one I want isn’t — what next?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      A woman working at a laptop in a coffee shop
    • Monday, 3 April, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      I am stuck on a consultancy project I don’t like. How do I accelerate a move?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      Two workers in an office in discussion over a laptop and some papers
    • Monday, 20 March, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      How do I re-enter work after several years of retirement?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      Three co-workers talking, one noticeably older than the other two
    • Monday, 6 March, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      I want to move from HR to another business area. How do I equip myself to move on?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      A businesswoman in an office resting her head on her hand
    • Monday, 20 February, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      I have done the same job for years — how do I now move my career on?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      A worker sitting in front of a laptop looking out the window
    • Monday, 6 February, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      How do I frame my career break in interviews?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

    • Monday, 23 January, 2023
      Jonathan Black
      How do I pursue a law career that aligns with my values?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

      A view of the Hong Kong skyline from an office building. What opportunities are there for a law firm worker moving to the UK?
    • Tuesday, 27 December, 2022
      Jonathan Black
      How do I rebuild my confidence after leaving a bad manager?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

    • Monday, 12 December, 2022
      Jonathan Black
      I want to quit my job and travel — will it affect my career progression?

      Your question for our expert — and readers’ advice

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