Understanding the complexities of today’s job market and the overall career planning process are Phyllis Ritvo’s major strengths. She has been a career counselor in private practice working with adult clients for more than 12 years, and earlier worked at colleges, nonprofit agencies, and educational consulting companies in the Boston area. These included Radcliffe College (Harvard University), Wellesley College and the Greater Boston YMCA. In all her work roles, she has had writing responsibilities -- from grant writing to producing training materials. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English Literature from Wellesley College and a Master of Education with a specialty in adult counseling from Northeastern University. She was one of the first professionally certified members of the national Career Counselors Association. She is also a member of the National Career Development Association. Apart from her career counseling duties, Phyllis is known both nationally and internationally for her book about Dutch pottery, The World of Gouda Pottery.