Hi! I’m Courtney. I’ve been writing my Dear Businesslady work-advice column since 2014, first on The Toast (RIP) and then on the financial advice site The Billfold (also RIP. sigh).
When I was in my early 20s, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up—so I just took the jobs that were available to me and figured it out from there.
I started working (for real, not just babysitting) when I was 16, first at a sandwich shop, then at Kohl’s. I’d acquired a little bit of office experience by the time I graduated college, but not much. I also had a joint BA in English and Visual Arts—both of which have actually proven useful to my professional life, despite what everyone told me at the time.
Over the years, I used my main skills—writing/editing, being helpful—to move my way up through a series of administrative positions, first at an HR consulting firm and then in academia. I eventually found the sweet spot between “stuff I enjoy doing” and “stuff I can get paid to do.” Since 2018 I’ve been the Senior Writer & Research Development Director for the UChicago Humanities Division (where I’ve held various roles since 2007). I work remotely—even when there’s not a global pandemic—and live with my husband, Doug, who’s an English professor at SUNY Oswego. We had a baby in May 2020 so I’ve gotten even better at multitasking these days.
I like my job a lot, and through my Businesslady alter ego, I’m here to help you find a job you like too. Think that’s impossible? I love a challenge! Hit me up: dearbusinesslady@gmail.com.
Businesslady 