Chicago man with felony record seeks direction after years of struggle

A 44-year-old man in Chicago is asking for guidance on how to move forward in his career after serving time in prison. In a letter addressed to the advice columnist Dear Abby, he describes his current life as a failure and expresses frustration over limited options for professional growth.

The writer, who identifies as having Asperger's syndrome, says he struggled in school as a teenager partly because of bullying. He spent his twenties making poor financial decisions that led him to commit fraud to make ends meet. That fraud resulted in a felony record and time spent in prison.

He currently works in a warehouse where the pay is decent but the tasks are menial and repetitive. He says he feels capable of doing more than his current job allows. As a child, he dreamed of running for public office, but he believes that goal is no longer realistic because of his age and criminal history.

He also studied criminal justice for one year after high school with the hope of becoming a police officer. He says his age and rap sheet have effectively closed that door as well. He has wanted to return to school but does not know what subject to study or which career path to pursue. He lives alone and has never married, while his closest friends have started families.

The writer says he feels lost, depressed, and rudderless. He mentions crying himself to sleep at times and asks for insights, ideas, or resources that could help him find a path forward.

In response, the column advises the man to search online at the city, county, or state level for a career counselor who specializes in helping individuals with criminal records. These professionals can provide aptitude tests, interest assessments, and information about scholarships and grants.

If a career counselor does not seem helpful, the column suggests finding purpose through volunteering. It notes that while he might not be able to work with children or the elderly, places like animal shelters, food banks, and homeless shelters would likely welcome his help. The advice includes disclosing his record when applying to avoid the appearance of hiding it.

The column adds that getting out and staying busy may improve his mood. It may also provide insight into careers or areas of study that interest him for the next chapter of his life. The column is written by Abigail Van Buren, a pen name used by Jeanne Phillips for nearly four decades after her mother, Pauline Phillips, founded the column in 1956.