Deep-six Trunk

The Hook's column "The Brazen Careerist" should be called the brazen columnist. I think you've been had by a salesman for a syndicate that was had by a glib babe.

First, in the August 28 edition, writer Penelope Trunk claims she worked for the legendary swimmer and film star Esther Williams. She goes into great detail about her job with Williams. And her column explains: "Esther Williams won an Olympics medal in synchronized swimming in the 1940s ..."

Either Penelope invented her credentials and picked the name Esther Williams out of a hat, or she's so blank she could work for a celeb and learn nothing about her. Which of those counts as a recommendation?

Esther Williams was a speed swimmer. As a teenager in the 1930s she won such events as the Women's Outdoor Nationals and the Pacific Coast Championships, and had set records for the 100-meter and 220-meter swims. She was scheduled to be on the 1940 Olympics team, but the 1940 Olympics were canceled because of WW II. She then signed to make movies at MGM and that ended her career in swimming competition. Synchronized swimming became an Olympics sport in 1984 when Esther was 62.

After Penelope sent out her column someone told her, and the incorrect information was deleted from her syndicate's website.

Second, since this columnist appeared I've been trying to find something in heranything– to justify reading the column. Zero is the answer. The writer seems to be a beginner in career management with nothing but the top of her head to share. Enterprising young writers who spot a niche for a syndicated column outside their qualifications can be of service echoing the advice of experienced specialists in the field. There's not a whisper of that service in this column.

It's a given there are readers even more inadequate than that writer in career management. But raise your sights. There are plenty of career management columnists more knowledgeable than this one, actual specialists who won't insult the reader's intelligence.

Rey Barry
"Charlemarle"