CASE FILE: Career Advice
Subject: Edmund Kemper Known for: The Co-ed Killer Estimated victims: 10 Operational period: 1964, 1972-1973
We have all faced the sting of being told we are not a “good fit.” In my youth, I desperately wanted to wear the uniform of the state highway patrol. I had the intellect—an IQ of 145—and the drive. But at six-foot-nine, they told me I was simply too towering, too imposing. They rejected me. It is a common corporate hurdle: being dismissed because you do not conform to their rigid dimensions.
When a door slams in your face, you do not walk away. You observe. You study the environment. You map out the routes they take, the times they are vulnerable, and you learn how to blend into the background despite your size. If you cannot join the establishment, you must carve out your own niche. For me, that meant working closely with young, receptive minds—particularly in academic circles. You must learn how to approach people, put them at ease, and make them feel entirely safe in your vehicle before you make your move. In any negotiation, the key is containment. Once you have them in your space, you control the narrative.
If your physical stature is a barrier, rely on your voice. A deep, resonant, and utterly calm voice can make people do exactly what you want, hanging on your every syllable. Perfecting your delivery is a powerful tool for capturing an audience, whether they are in the passenger seat or listening to a recorded tape.
Lastly, success requires managing difficult stakeholders. We all have maternal figures or overbearing supervisors who try to keep us down. Sometimes, to truly advance, you must permanently silence those critical voices. You must sever those toxic connections entirely—cleanly, decisively, and right at the root. Only then can you find peace and secure your place in the archives.
When the work is finished, do not shy away from the results. Present your portfolio clearly. Sometimes, you even have to make the call yourself to ensure you get the recognition you so richly deserve.
File closed. Results pending.