Dear Kirstjen,

In light of your recent firing by President Donald Trump, I'm guessing that you're not feeling too chipper at the moment. One minute you were hailed as the youngest person (at age 46) to lead Homeland Security, and the next minute you're just another Trump discard.

It can't be easy for you to figure out your next act, so permit me to offer you some career advice in my official capacity as The Careerist.

May I dispense with the niceties and get right to the point? (You've already been described as “brusque” and “no-nonsense” by The New York Times so I'm guessing it's OK if I bypass the sympathy stuff.) I know some of what I'm about to say comes too late to do you much good, but let's keep in mind all the young people out there who can learn from you. They might not look to you as a role model, but you can still shine as an example of how not to handle a career.