The current employment landscape presents a formidable challenge for recent graduates, with entry-level positions proving increasingly scarce. As companies continue to streamline operations and leverage artificial intelligence for efficiency, many young professionals find themselves submitting hundreds of applications with little to show for the effort. This sense of frustration and uncertainty mirrors experiences shared by individuals who navigated complex career trajectories long before the advent of AI, including Dana Perino, a former press secretary to President George W. Bush and current co-host of Fox News’s “The Five.”
Perino’s own professional journey was anything but a straight line. Before her prominent role in the White House and her current position on one of American cable television’s most-watched programs, she explored diverse fields. Her early career included stints as a journalist, working for a Colorado congressman on Capitol Hill, dabbling in public relations, and even pulling overnight shifts as a college radio DJ. This varied background informs her perspective on career planning, suggesting that an overly rigid “master plan” can sometimes obscure unexpected opportunities that arise. She reflects on how her life would have unfolded very differently had she meticulously plotted every step.
Initially, Perino admits she was skeptical of the common adage that passion and financial reward eventually converge, especially given her start in journalism, a field not typically known for its high salaries. However, her experiences ultimately reshaped this view. She recalls advice she received: “Pick the one thing you love to do and do that—and the salary will follow.” While she initially distrusted this counsel, she eventually found it to be true. Her focus narrowed, and she observed that “all the other opportunities came at the right time” once she stopped trying to pursue every possible avenue simultaneously. 
This personal history underpins her direct advice for Gen Z in today’s tough market: “Just start working—wherever it is.” She emphasizes that taking any available job does not imply a long-term commitment, noting, “It doesn’t mean you have to stay there for two years.” Even in roles like bartending, Perino believes there are valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and overcome career hurdles. She encourages entry-level staff at Fox to actively engage with new people they encounter, whether in an elevator or the green room, by asking about their career paths, their big breaks, and the factors that made a difference in their lives. This curiosity, she suggests, often reveals a willingness among experienced professionals to offer help.
Building a lasting professional network, however, requires more than just initial curiosity. Perino highlights the importance of maintaining relationships beyond immediate needs. She suggests a simple message every six months with a quick update on one’s life or career can be highly effective. Waiting until a specific need arises to reconnect rarely fosters a healthy, productive relationship. She stresses that if someone extends themselves to help, even if the outcome isn’t immediately successful, following up consistently increases the likelihood of future assistance. Conversely, a lack of follow-up can significantly diminish a mentor’s willingness to help again.
This intentional approach to networking is particularly relevant for younger workers. A 2024 LinkedIn survey indicated that one in five Gen Z employees had not engaged in a direct conversation with a colleague over 50 in the past year, partly due to a perceived lack of confidence in intergenerational interactions. Perino, who became only the second woman and the first for a Republican president to hold the press secretary position in 2007, understands the demand for guidance. After leaving the White House, the sheer volume of requests for career advice from young women led her to organize “Minute Mentoring” events, a speed-dating style format that connected dozens of mentees with mentors. This experience underscored the significant desire for guidance among early-career professionals and the impact even brief access to experienced individuals can have.
Beyond networking, Perino also speaks to the less glamorous, yet crucial, decisions that can shape a career, such as relocating. She advises against fear of moving, especially for those in major professional hubs like Washington D.C. or New York. Sometimes, she explains, gaining experience elsewhere is necessary to return at a higher level. Underlying all her advice is a consistent philosophy: maintaining constant vigilance. “You have to be having eyes and ears open at all times—always be learning and to take advantage of opportunities when they come,” she states. This philosophy now extends to her social media presence, where she shares concise career tips, often dubbed “Mentor Mondays,” covering topics from job searching to making strong first impressions. With three books on mentoring and professional growth already to her name, Perino is set to release her first novel, “Purple State,” this spring, continuing to engage audiences with her insights.
