Using AI as a Tool, Not a Crutch

There’s a lot of fear floating around about AI. That it’s going to take jobs. Replace creativity. Wipe out entire industries.

And honestly? Some of that fear is valid.

But here’s what doesn’t get said enough: AI isn’t the enemy. It’s just a tool.

A hammer can build a house — or smash your thumb into oblivion. Depends on who's holding it.

Let AI Help, Not Speak for You

I use AI nearly every day. To brainstorm ideas. Do deep searches. Outline content. Write meta descriptions. Choose hashtags. And yes — double-check I used the right there/their/they’re.

Comic by Echoes of Sol – @echoesofsol.bsky.social

But what I don’t use it for? Speaking for me.

Because when you hand over control completely, it shows. AI writing is safe. Polished. Painless. But it’s also forgettable. And if you're trying to stand out — especially online or while job hunting — being forgettable is the worst kind of outcome.

Let AI carry the load — not your voice. Let it support your creativity — not replace it. Let it help you write — not write for you.

When It Comes to Resumes, the Human Still Matters

This is where I see people struggle the most.

They paste their work history into an AI resume tool, hit download, and wonder why no one calls back. AI can help you with structure. It can clean up your formatting. It can even help find the right keywords for applicant tracking systems.

But it can’t explain who you are, what you’re proud of, or why someone should hire you. That takes clarity, confidence — and a little guidance.

That’s where I come in.

I work one-on-one with people to take the mess of skills, side gigs, job gaps, and real-life experience — and shape it into something employers actually understand and respect. Not just a “good resume,” but a real story with a clear direction.

You bring the raw material. I help you turn it into something that stands out.

Your Voice Still Has Value

Some people still shoot on film. (Me, on a Pentax K1000.) They still read paperbacks. (Anytime I can — I average about a book a week.) They still treasure hand-made art over glossy digital perfection. (I have lots of small, original pieces in my home.)

None of that is faster. Or easier.

But it feels real. And that’s the point.

Your work, your words, your effort — they still matter. Not in spite of the imperfections, but because of them.

Whether you’re a creator, a job-seeker, or trying to build a better life — you, the human, deserve to be heard.

Looking for help with resumes, job searches, AI prompts, or making the leap abroad? That’s what I do — Your next chapter starts here.