We just wrapped up an excellent interview with director F. Gary Gray, who was in town to discuss his new film Law Abiding Citizen. Gary is definitely a very talented and smart director who simply loves what he does. We talked about a number of topics, from the craft of directing, to the technical hot-to's of the job, to how he has accomplished so much in his career. The interview will be available at ThinkTalk.com next week, so be sure to check back for that.

I also want to give you all a heads up about some other guests we have coming up. Aside from Sharon Lechter, which we've already taped, I'm very excited to be joined by New York Times Financial Journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin. Andrew writes a regular column for the Times and also edits the daily Mergers and Acquisitions blog DealBook. Andrew will join us to talk about Financial Journalism, his career at the Times and his newest book on Wall Street Too Big to Fail. Make sure you get your questions in for Andrew right away

Along with Andrew, we're excited for our interview with director Kirk Fraser, who most recently completed a documentary for the very cool ESPN series "30 for 30." Kirk's documentary, Without Bias tells the tragic and heartbreaking tale of University of Maryland Basketball player and Boston Celtics draft pick Len Bias ... who died of a drug overdose before ever playing a game in the NBA. If you've got a question for Kirk make sure you get it to us soon.

OK, I think that takes care of what we have coming up in the immediate future. If you can't stand the wait, check out our Q&A with director Michael Moore or An Education director Lone Scherfig. And stay tuned to ThinkTalk.com.

It's been busy, busy, busy at ThinkTalk HQ lately. As I mentioned last week we had a great Q & A over at George Washington University with Capitalism: A Love Story director Michael Moore. Since our weekly show is a 30-minute program, we decided to cut the hour interview into two shows. Part 1 is available to watch now, so head on over to Michael's bio page now to watch that. Part 2 will be available next Monday.

After that we are going to put out our show from the National Book Festival. TT Host Erika Thomas got some great interviews with authors Nicholas Sparks, Junot Diaz, Gwen Ifill and more. So there's going to be some great advice with a number of very good and very successful writers. Definitely stay tuned for that.

Also, this Thursday we will be interviewing successful business woman and author Sharon Lechter (pictured at right). Sharon is a co-author of the Rich Dad, Poor Dad series of financial literacy books and also serves on the President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. So if you have questions for Sharon make sure you get them in by Wednesday, October 7th. Sharon's interview will be available online after the National Book Festival program.

In the meantime, we'll be posting here daily. So stay tuned to ThinkTalk.com for all your career advice needs.

Let's hit The Links ...

Jobacle Explains the Right Way to Leave a Job: The first book from the career-blog Jobacle is titled The Exit Guide, and has some useful information on leaving your job the proper way. Burning bridges is no an acceptable way to leave a job and it can come back to haunt you later in your career. It's a small world, so maybe this book can help you figure out how to keep relationships strong even when leaving a job.

The Wall Street Journal Reports That a lot of the Jobs Lost During the Downtown May Not Be Coming Back: "Economists say that when demand picks up -- as it is starting to do -- jobs eventually will follow. History shows that has always been true. But guessing which jobs will be created over the long run is often fruitless. Many of tomorrow's jobs don't exist today."

The Economist Riffs on Green Jobs and a Carbon Tax: "For heaven's sake. The point of putting a cap or a tax on carbon emissions is to curb carbon emissions, thereby saving the planet from cooking. It is not about creating jobs. It will certainly create some, but it will destroy plenty, too."

What Would Dad Say Rounds Up Resume Advice: "People like Bill Vick of Employment Digest who reminded us that networking is at least as important as the resume itself.  And JobAwfulTruth showed us their own series on the resume. Then Dorothy Beach hit an important point, that job seekers need to be able to validate proof of ability. Miriam of Keppie Careers adds that job seekers need a muli-facted approach these days."

Leaving college and entering the real world is one of the more daunting tasks a person faces in the transition to adulthood (or maybe even in life). Now, maybe you're just starting a new school year, but it's never to early to start thinking about transitioning to your career.

That's why ThinkTalk is kicking of the Fall 2009 semester with our interview with TV correspondent and Gen Y Journalist SuChin Pak. The talented and successful SuChin joined us share what she has learned from her career experiences to discuss the important things you need to know to get that first job out of college.

What's the first step? SuChin suggests networking as one of the more important aspects to finding a job, mentioning that everywhere she has worked since school, the opportunity came from a pre-existing relationship.

SuChin also discusses the importance of securing Health Care as a recent graduate and even offers some suggestions on potential resources for you. She goes on to discuss the key aspects of interview preparation and overall career advice for all you ambitious young new workers. So what are you waiting for, check out our interview with SuChin Pak!

Labor Day has passed and the lazy days of summer are behind us. It's time, finally, to get to work. Whether you are a student back in school or a recent grad still looking for work, at ThinkTalk - our programming and our blog - we're going to do our very best to bring you the helpful advice you need to land your job and get started on your career.

Later this week we will be posting our very first interviews of the semester: with Gen Y advice specialist Su Chin Pak and Coco Before Chanel director Anne Fontaine. So make sure you check back for those.

For today, let's talk about all you students returning to class. American Public Media's Marketplace has a very interesting interview with George Mason Professor, author, blogger and all-around smart guy Tyler Cowen that raises an interesting issue. Education as a Placebo.

In case you aren't totally sure (no Psych 101 yet?), a placebo is a medical phenomenon in which a substitute treatment with no medical benefit actually produces a desired medical effect. It controversial and largely believed to be connected to the brain. Anyway, there's tons of info on the effect, but let's get to the nut of Education as a placebo. To quote Mr. Cowen:

Schooling works in large part because it makes people feel they've been transformed. Think about it: college graduates earn a lot more than non-graduates, but studying Walt Whitman rarely gets people a job. In reality, the students are jumping through lots of hoops and acquiring a new self-identity.

The educators and the administrators stage a kind of "theater" to convince students that they now belong to an elite group of higher earners. If students believe this story, many of them will then live it.

Colleges therefore are very concerned with prestige, status, and yes, pretense. That means thick syllabi, famous professors, and an impressive graduation ceremony.

Cowen uses this example to defend the business models of schools. Essentially, online education can supplant the face-to-face due to the "theater" involved with the engagement. Which is all well and good. But it points to a larger issue for me.

You pretty much only get one shot at an undergraduate education. So as the semester begins, use your time wisely to get as much out of your education as the $30,000 per year you are putting in. Ignore the theater and focus on the subjects that will improve your direction in life. Pass up the easy A class for the challenging hard-earned B class. In short, make the most of your experience.

Good luck with this semester, don't forget to stop by the ThinkTalk Blog each day, and be sure to take your daily dose of The Links ...

Miller-McCunecom Explores The Source of Innovation: Innovation will go a long way to help you in your career, regardless of the field ... but where does it come from? ""There are not magic wands or bright ideas in bathtubs," Arthur said. Rather, [ideas] emerge in what we often tend to think of as a more mundane way, from something that Arthur calls "deep craft" — that is, from a really thorough understanding of the existing technologies and comprehensive knowledge of a domain. "What you really need in invention is a superb command of the pieces in a toolbox," he said."

One Day One Job Explains The Difference in Finding a Non-Profit Job: "This “third sector” has a different culture, different networks, and different tricks to getting and keeping a job from the for-profit sector. When applying for non-profit jobs, you need to strike a balance between displaying your skills and experience and passion for the work." Roxy Allen then goes on to list 5 tips for scoring a non-profit job.

The Wall Street Journal Asks When It Is Early to Think About Your Career: The 18 year old Freshman son of the WSJ's San Francisco Bureau shares his thoughts on the first week of class. "I have no idea what I want to focus on for a job later in life, or even what I should major in. So I think my best bet now is to sign up for some wild cards -- classes that aren't in a field I would automatically consider, but sound intriguing. I'm not going to worry about a post-college career quite yet. I still have a full four years to worry about what major will show up on my job résumé."

Heather Huhman Shares The Best Places to Launch a Career: Business Week's 2009 list is out. Heather recommends checking out the list, and especially the section with interviews from recent grads about alternate career options.

"pills" courtesy rodrigo senna via Flickr Creative Commons

Editor’s Note: ThinkTalk is happy to announce a new addition to the team. Erika Thomas will be hosting, occasionally blogging and generally helping out the ThinkTalk Team. Erika recently conducted interviews with Lone Scherfig and Anne Fontaine and did an excellent job. We're excited to have her on the ThinkTalk Team! - Zack

Greetings All!

My name is Erika and I am the newest member of the ThinkTalk team. I joined the team as a Host and Advertising Sales Manager this summer just in time for the upcoming academic year.

In between looking for an apartment close to my job (I just moved to DC, but more on that later) I have enjoyed reconnecting with my college friends and soaking up everything the city has to offer; great food, concerts at the Kennedy Center, sightseeing, and attending Redskins games. Hopefully I’ll get to see the Wizards in action this coming season as well!

I am also the reigning Miss Alexandria in association with the Miss Virginia Organization. Alexandria is just a metro ride away from DC. Therefore, I also maintain a rigorous schedule of community service and appearances. I am a woman on the move at all times, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

You might be wondering how I ended up working for ThinkTalk. I majored in Communication Studies at James Madison University. After graduation, I began working for Clear Channel Communications in their radio division in my hometown of Winchester, VA as an Account Manager. I worked in radio for approximately a year and a half when I learned that ThinkTalk was adding to the team. I accepted the position as host and ad sales manager because it allowed me to combine my two loves; connecting with people on a personal level while maintaining a foothold in the competitive corporate world.

This explains the move from Winchester, VA to Washington, DC and my apartment search. But, in addition to making a physical move I am also making a career move by transitioning from radio to television.

The move from working in radio to working in TV has been exciting. Both are very colorful industries in that they are fast paced and always changing. For example, since joining ThinkTalk I have already filmed two shows for Directors Cut, while working on building a client base interested in bringing you more information related to your career and entertainment, all while meeting some pretty popular and inflectional people like NFL star Tiki Barber and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

Well, that’s my story thus far and I have to say it doesn’t look half bad on paper. If that’s what is happening at the baseline, I can’t imagine the journey we are going to have this year.

Pleasure to meet you. Stay tuned!

ThinkTalk Wants YOU!

We are looking for dynamic and outgoing campus reporters to help with our ThinkTalk programming.

For every accomplished professional that we interview about their career, we need student questions from schools around the country. As campus reporter, you will be responsible for gathering student questions from peers at your school.

Responsibilities:

We are looking for super-special ThinkTalk interns. You will get experience behind the scenes of ThinkTalk programming and polish your communication and networking skills. Not only will you see what it takes to a make an educational TV show, you get to work with us - the brilliant and incredibly good-looking ThinkTalk staff!

(Oh, and did we mention humble)

Your Workload:

• Helping to shoot, edit and distribute ThinkTalk programming
• Researching upcoming ThinkTalk guests and topics
• Taking out the trash
• Collecting student questions for interviews
• Fetching drinks and acting as footstool for important guests
• Writing blog posts and press releases
• Updating mailing lists and files
• Running top-secret documents through paper shredder
• Promoting ThinkTalk to schools and media outlets

Qualifications:

• Must be enrolled as a student in an accredited university
• Ability to commit to 10 hours/week
• Interest in TV production, journalism, news, marketing or entertainment
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Stellar sense of organization
• Access to large amounts of cash and or gold bullion
• Comfortable interacting with high-profile professionals
• An incredible sense of humor and outgoing personality
• Wacky personalities and coffeeholics are encouraged to apply

We are flexible and will work with your crazy class schedule. This is not a paid internship, but you will be more than compensated in praise and cookies (and college credit, if ya know, you're into that kinda thing). We also provide lunch and cover your Metro transportation costs. Speaking of Metro, we're locate in Washington DC, so if you aren't that could be a problem. But hey, shoot us an email, we're always hiring for campus reporters too!

This is a great opportunity to meet amazing professionals from a wide variety of fields. And not to brag, but we look great on a resume!

To apply, please email us a cover letter and resume. If you have any questions, stop over-thinking things, and just shoot us an email.

We don’t know about you, but we’re excited for spring semester here at ThinkTalk. We have a lot of great shows planned, and we’re kicking it off with a Recruitville featuring LaTasha Gary, Sr. Director of the Global Channel Partner IT Group at Hewlett-Packard.

Watch Recruitville: HP Now.

HP is a global leader in information technology and actively recruits graduates for entry-level positions. Number 14 on the 2008 Fortune 500 list, the company looks for students with a wide variety of skills and experience (Read: you don't have to be a computer science major). HP was named of the 25 Noteworthy Companies by Diversity Inc in 2008. Woman Engineer Magazine ranked them at #13 on the list of the Top 50 Companies for Women Engineers.

If you want to work for HP, this is the show to watch. LaTasha told Scott from American University that extracurricular activities do matter and that the first thing she looks for in a resume is . . . well you’ll have to watch the show to find out (Hint: Being on the Dean’s List does matter).

LaTasha Gary graduated from Texas A & M with a B.S. in a computer science and from Howard University with a M.S. in computer science. She was named one of the top Houston Women in Technology by the Association of Women in Computing, and was even one of the Women of Color in Technology All Stars by Career Communications group.

We hope you pick up some good tips from this show. Recruitville is our newest ThinkTalk show and we want it to be a destination for you to get the inside scoop from some of the best companies to work for. Subscribe to our RSS feed, put us in your favorites or drop us in your blog to keep up with what Recruiters at the top companies across the nation say you should do to get a job. While you’re at it, drop us a comment and let us know what you think of Recruitville.

Watch Recruitville Featuring LaTasha Gary

ThinkTalk Wants YOU!

We are looking for dynamic and outgoing campus reporters to help with our ThinkTalk programming.

For every accomplished professional that we interview about their career, we need student questions from schools around the country. As campus reporter, you will be responsible for gathering student questions from peers at your school.

Responsibilities:

We are looking for super-special ThinkTalk interns. You will get experience behind the scenes of ThinkTalk programming and polish your communication and networking skills. Not only will you see what it takes to a make an educational TV show, you get to work with us - the brilliant and incredibly good-looking ThinkTalk staff!

(Oh, and did we mention humble)

Your Workload: