The Atlantic

The Fed Holds Steady Before the Election

At its November meeting, the U.S. central bank has voted not to raise interest rates, although many believe a hike in December is likely.

• Bourree Lam
• Nov 2, 2016

From Growing Tobacco to Growing Hemp

Jane Harrod, a farmer in Kentucky, talks about transitioning to a different crop after the U.S. soured on cigarettes.

• Bourree Lam
• Oct 27, 2016

Working in the Fastest Growing Profession

George Myers, a wind-turbine technician in Colorado, talks about his transition from life as a stay-at-home dad to a career in a rapidly emerging industry.

• Bourree Lam
• Oct 11, 2016

The Elements of Being a Chemist

Nicholas Anderson, a renewable-energy researcher in Colorado, talks about the appeal of working in a lab.

• Bourree Lam
• Oct 7, 2016

September’s Encouraging Jobs Report

The U.S. economy created 156,000 jobs last month, and wages continued to steadily rise.

• Bourree Lam
• Oct 7, 2016

Shooting for Space, to Make Life Better on Earth

Elaine Flowers Duncan, an engineer at NASA, talks about what drew her to rocket science.

• Bourree Lam
• Oct 6, 2016

A Rancher With a Passion for Animal Psychology

Anne Burkholder, a cattle farmer in Nebraska, talks about working and living in an area much more rural than the Florida city where she grew up.

• Bourree Lam
• Oct 5, 2016

Back From Afghanistan, and Straight to the Greenhouse

Mark Benoit, who grows hydroponic produce, talks about his rapid, unexpected transition from being a soldier to being a farmer.

• Bourree Lam
• Oct 4, 2016

Made (and Making It) in the U.S.A.

Todd Whitley, a fabric-cutting manager in North Carolina, talks about the pride and dignity that’s come from having a career in American manufacturing.

• Bourree Lam
• Oct 2, 2016

An Engineer With a Butcher’s Knife

Tucker Larson, a butcher, talks about taking a break from college in Philadelphia to work at a restaurant in New Orleans.

• Bourree Lam
• Sep 28, 2016

All the Work That Goes Into One Bottle of Wine

Erin Dix, a wholesaler in St. Louis, talks about what it’s like to be an intermediary between producers and retailers.

• Bourree Lam
• Sep 27, 2016

The Fed Still Has Not Raised Interest Rates in 2016

The U.S. central bank yet again decided to hold steady, leaving economists and investors wondering if a hike will come before year’s end.

• Bourree Lam
• Sep 21, 2016

Working With Lightning

Robert Weathers talks about his job maintaining Walter De Maria’s land-art installation The Lightning Field in New Mexico.

• Bourree Lam
• Sep 21, 2016

Office Life as Dance

A Canadian choreographer finds inspiration in the movements people go through when they’re on their way to work.

• Bourree Lam
• Sep 16, 2016

Selling a Big Chain to Locals

Frankie Israel, a sales and service manager at West Elm in Charlotte, talks about how he found working as a salesperson surprisingly rewarding.

• Bourree Lam
• Sep 15, 2016

Working on the Railroad

David Pryor, a conductor at Amtrak, talks about why his job on the train makes him optimistic about American society.

• Bourree Lam
• Sep 13, 2016

The Work Behind Construction Projects

Lanier Spriggs, who has been in the industry for eight years, talks about why it needs to change its image.

• Bourree Lam
• Sep 9, 2016

From Worship Service to Customer Service

Steve Fischer, a hotel manager in Oklahoma, talks about his transition from being a church musician to a career of caring for travelers.

• Bourree Lam
• Sep 8, 2016