Class Is Back in Session

What's Happening

Work

Class Is Back in Session 

What’s going on: Remember when you swore you were done with homework forever? Turns out, that promise had an asterisk. More workers in their 40s are cracking open textbooks again — not out of nostalgia, but necessity. The Wall Street Journal reports that layoffs, stagnant pay, and artificial intelligence are pushing many mid-career professionals back to school in search of stability or a reset. Federal education data shows, about 1 million people in their 40s are currently enrolled in college or grad school. Some make dramatic pivots, like leaving restaurant kitchens for software engineering roles. Others pursue advanced degrees to stand out as hiring standards rise. And plenty of people see trade or vocational school as more stable paths. After all, AI still can’t fix your broken generator at 2 am. Yet. 

What it means: A career reset later in life asks a lot. Many women juggle jobs, family responsibilities, and classes — often while taking on new college debt just as their peers hit peak earning years. Even so, career experts say this moment offers a chance to get intentional. Start with what energizes you now, not what impressed people years ago. Here are four steps to get the ball rolling. If you feel stuck, take one practical step: research jobs with rising demand, then ask a few trusted friends from different corners of your life to name your biggest strengths. And don’t overlook the MVP of a mid-career move: your network. Those holiday parties, coffee chats, and break-room conversations built more value than you realized.

Related: Scholarships and Grants To Help Fund Your Midlife Career Pivot (Forbes)

The News In 5

🗞️ Police arrested the son of Rob and Michele Reiner in connection with their deaths. Tributes to the couple have poured in, including poignant ones from former President Barack Obama and actress Virginia Madsen.

🗞️ Authorities released new images of a person of interest in the Brown University shooting. Meanwhile, we’re learning more about the two victims who were killed.

🗞️ The DOJ arrested four people for allegedly plotting to detonate pipe bombs in Southern California on New Year’s Eve.

🗞️ The military is investigating after a JetBlue plane and US Air Force aircraft nearly collided mid-air near Venezuela.

🗞️ The company behind this household favorite has filed for bankruptcy. Can’t sweep this one under the rug.

Work

Your Laptop Is a Snitch

What's going on: If you need one more reason to complain about work, we’ve got you. A new Government Accountability Office report found that employers are monitoring their workers more than ever. A growing arsenal of surveillance tech has opened the door for companies to track employee locations, messages, appointments, and more. Yes, there are ethical and privacy concerns. But a choppy job market and RTO mandates have given employers the upper hand — and some use surveillance to reassert control. Employees might be making it easy, especially since many use company-issued devices to text friends, scroll social media, or even look up medical information — often forgetting, or choosing not to think about, who else can see it. Oops.

What it means: Don’t panic — there are ways to protect yourself. The biggest risks pop up if you’re working somewhere your boss shouldn’t know about (justice for Work From Beach), hunting for new jobs on your work laptop, or venting on Slack. A rule of thumb: Don’t do any of that on company devices. When you need privacy, switch to encrypted apps like Signal (yes, of SignalGate) on your personal phone. Take a few minutes to check guides like this one, which explain how employers can monitor activity. And, when in doubt, follow the lawyer maxim: Never write anything down you don’t want read in court with a demeaning tone.

Related: How’s Your Workplace Etiquette? There’s Now A Quiz (WSJ Gift Link)

Family

Brace Yourself: Peak "Kin-Keeping" Season Is Back

What's going on: The holiday season can be full of wonderful memories: laughter with family and friends, a cozy meal, and, hopefully, the gift you said you didn’t want (but secretly hoped for). Behind those moments is often the person who brings it all together: the “kin keeper” — the silent caretaker who keeps that family magic alive 24/7, especially during the holidays. (Who but Mrs. Claus would think to check the list twice?) Regardless of how they are feeling, kin keepers, who tend to be women, are expected to be emotionally present for the people around them. Another big part of their role: Staying in touch with extended family and friends year-round. No wonder we’re exhausted.  

What it means: While kin keeping can be rewarding, resentment can build — and that’s not good for anyone. So when you feel burnt out, talk about it. Be open about what you do for your family and why. Yes, that means doing more work, but it can be worth it. They might not even realize it (ouch) and be more appreciative. When someone asks how to help you, tell them — and get specific. And if you aren’t the kin keeper? Say “thank you.” It can go a long way.

Related: Six Different Ways To Reduce Holiday Stress (Hartford Health Care)

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ The November jobs report was released after an 11-day delay. 

🗓️ Happy 250th birthday to Jane Austen. Age really is just a number.

🗓️ It’s National Chocolate-Covered-Anything Day. Strawberries and pretzels, duh, but don’t sleep on citrus.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Know It All

Business Insider says this gut-healthy food is set to have a moment in 2026 as searches for recipes spike.

Game Time

Start your Tuesday off right with Typeshift, a fun new game that challenges you to create words from a set number of letters. Warning: It’s very addicting. Start playing.