Like Rapunzel in the ivory tower throwing down her long braid in hopes of a rescue, does your career feel like you need more than a prince on a white horse to help you out? Having a job these days has become more than a blessing given the alternative. But do you somehow feel that you are sacrificing more than you think? Feeling trapped in your situation even though you are collecting a paycheck is not any better than not having a job-you’re tangled by your circumstances no matter which side of the braid you are holding.

Cinesite, one of the world’s leading film visual effects houses, today announced that it has awarded places on its 2011 Inspire internship program to four exceptional candidates – Luke Armstrong, Ruairi Twohig, Eleanor Bond and Tom Flavelle.

Jeff Okun is not afraid to speak honestly about subjects the make some uncomfortable, nor take positions that might rub some people the wrong way. The bottom line is that everyone working in film and television today knows fundamental change is afoot in how shows are financed and produced and that the visual effects industry has taken a tremendous beating the last few years, especially in California. The question is what to do about it.

Sometimes you think you know how you come across to others but you don’t. You may think you rock in your presentation skills, or present a cool and calm presence or think you are a superstar when it comes to nailing a job interview. When was the last time you went on a job interview and what was the outcome? I thought so! If you’ve been pounding the pavement and think you are just doing fine networking your butt off then think again. If no one has offered you a job or even given you a second look, chances are you are not the picture perfect job candidate you may think you are.

Whether you are out of work, in between assignments or just taking a break from it all, you have the right to set the bar in terms of how you value your time and more importantly, your worth. Just because your friend calls and asks for some “free advice” doesn’t mean you should always put yourself in a position to discount your services. It’s good to help out a friend or former colleague or make referrals because you want to in turn help someone else land a job, but this does not mean you should give your services away for free.

Pamela Kleibrink Thompson helps us overcome the fear of asking.

Not sure if your career path was the one fate chose for you or you chose for yourself? If only there was a little book that lit up every time you made a wrong turn or career choice. Wouldn’t it be comforting to have a bunch of men in gray suits and fedoras running around trying to help you get back on track even though your heart or mind or whomever was pushing you in another direction. If you feel your career needs a visit from “The Adjustment Bureau” you are probably not alone.

You may be a high-ranking executive, or someone who is still working his or her way up the corporate ladder, or perhaps you are just trying to break into the business. Wherever your position on the career chain, you may now or in the future be in a position where you have to navigate the politics of your work environment. Knowing how to maneuver in a complicated system holds the same challenges whether you are a veteran or a newbie in the business.

Deciding whether to quit the job you have in search of a new one can be a daunting task when faced with the unknown. Do you leave the devil you know for what may appear to be greener pastures? Do you take the proverbial leap of faith in search of your dream job? What may appear to be an easy answer may actually put you between a rock and a hard place when it comes to making a choice and finally a move.

If you feel like a hopeful nominee, a reluctant runner up or a cocky winner, stand in line because your job search is a far cry from the glitz and glamour of The Oscars. You may feel like you have to dress the part or at least give good face to the crowds who are cheering you on. But, inside your stomach churns in tangled nervous knots and you wonder how you got here and whether being in the job spotlight is such a good thing.