JANE GAITSKILL HONG, LCSW

My first career was as a market research analyst at an agency in downtown Chicago. Over time, I had many conversations with coworkers about what they truly wanted from their lives. So many seemed to be unhappy. Many of the copywriters wanted to be writing novels. Many of the graphic artists were amazing painters, but felt they didn't have the time to pursue their true dreams. Some of my coworkers were desperately sad, some alcoholic and some had panic attacks. In 1992, at the age of 36, I decided to go back to school to become a social worker and counselor. It was the best career decision I could have made. I have been in Chicago's worst housing projects, before they were finally dismantled.