DR. WALLACE: I'm a guy who would like to get into performing, acting or doing something where I speak for a living. I'll turn 16 in two months. I'm very comfortable presenting in school, and all of my friends tell me I'm funny, outgoing and a good conversationalist!

Before I go any further, don't worry, I have a lot of faults too! But back to my request. What's the best way for me to get noticed or to do a job search now before I head off to college? I don't think I could ever work for decades at a desk job or a factory.

Any suggestions you have would be most welcome. Thanks in advance — Seeking to Speak for a Living Someday, via email

SEEKING TO SPEAK FOR A LIVING: Congratulations on having the confidence you do in your communication abilities. It's great that you realize this about yourself early on in life, as this will now give you many opportunities to keep your eyes and ears open to possible future career paths.

Take every opportunity you can to volunteer to speak on behalf of groups, organizations or individuals who may benefit from your skill set. The more exposure you can obtain, the better. Yes, you should prepare, refine and hone your skills gradually and steadily as you go. But at your age, the most important thing is to get out there and be seen as someone who can confidently communicate well to others across a wide variety of mediums. Seek out speaking opportunities throughout high school and beyond and let others know you'll be happy to help in your favored area of comfort at any time.

Times have never been better for speaking opportunities, as your future job avenues could include being a spokesperson for a group or organization, a podcaster, a broadcaster and certainly an actor or even a reporter. I suggest you try a variety of these potential career paths and see which ones interest you the most.

MY SATURDAYS SUDDENLY BECAME EMPTY

DR. WALLACE: I'm a 16-year-old girl who was dating a really nice guy for almost two months. We got along so great together that I thought we would be together forever.

Our routine was to talk to each other at school several days per week and then go out to lunch together and hang out on Saturday afternoon.

But the week before our school year ended, he told me he wouldn't be able to make our usual Saturday get-together. Then, when school ended the next week, he also canceled on me for that Saturday.

I was really surprised, but after talking to some of my friends, I found out he's dating another girl now.

He didn't answer my phone calls, but when I texted him and asked him directly if he was seeing somebody else, he told me he was and said that he was sorry, but he wouldn't be dating me anymore.

Now summer has just started, and I already feel beyond sad to experience this breakup, especially since I now have so much free time. What's the best thing for me to do? I feel beyond lonesome! — Dropped as Summer Started, via email

DROPPED AS SUMMER STARTED: The timing does sound quite unfortunate, but you can use it to your advantage. Because you do not have to be in school all day during the week, you can keep busy by visiting your existing friends, offering to volunteer or taking a part-time job within your community.

If you do this, you'll meet new people, make new friends, and increase your odds of meeting someone new. Beginning to date new people is the best way for you to get over the disappointment of your previous relationship ending.

Be sure to hang out with your best girlfriends and let them know you're interested in being introduced to new people if they come across anyone interesting that might be compatible for you.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Alexandre Pellaes at Unsplash