The Essential Professional
Laureen KnudsenPractical frameworks and honest insights for mid-career professionals navigating disruption, layoffs, and the future of work.
| Platform |  | Pricing | Only free issues | Publishes | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 22 | Founded | 5 months ago | Last Issue | 6 days ago |
| Active | |||||
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laureenknudsen.substack.comLatest Issues
What Do You Do With the Space AI Creates?
As AI takes on more tactical work, we need to become more intentional about developing the human capabilities that work once forced us to practice.
I use AI every day. It helps me research, organize information, work through ideas, summari...
Insight Doesn’t Change Your Career. What You Do With It Does.
Most people have spent years accumulating knowledge, skills, experiences, and human capabilities without ever seeing how they fit together. They know the jobs they’ve held and the work they’ve done, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they un...
When Employers Can’t Tell Who’s Real, How Do You Stand Out?
Something strange is happening in hiring.
AI has made it easier than ever to create a polished résumé, tailor it to a job description, write a compelling cover letter, and prepare for an interview. It has also made it easier to submit appl...
AI May Not Be Threatening Your Job, But It May Have Changed Where Your Value Is Needed
In October 2025 alone, U.S. employers announced more than 153,000 job cuts. AI was cited as a factor behind only 31% of those reductions, and cost cutting, restructuring, economic conditions, and other pressures were responsible for many mo...
You don't have to turn everything you're good at into a career
Years ago, I decided to try flower arranging. I enjoyed the creativity of it, and eventually I did the flowers for family weddings and celebrations. I loved being able to do something special for those I care about, and I was good at it.
I...
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| Subscribers | Engagement | 66 | Monthly Web Visits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepts Sponsors | Estimated Cost per Ad | ||||
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Authors
The writers behind this newsletter.
When AI rewrites your job, professional identity is what remains. I write weekly for people figuring out who they are without their title, and organizations helping their workforce through the same question.
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