Dear 'GMA' Advice Guru Top 20 Finalists: Scott Nimmer

Nov. 26, 2010 — -- Scott Nimmer from Liberty Township, Ohio, is a finalist in the Dear GMA Advice Guru Contest. Read his application below!

Dear GMA, I believe I am the perfect candidate for the GMA Advice Guru. As both a middle school and junior high school teacher, I have given my share of advice when it comes to all things adolescent. Whether it has been about what to wear, who to go out with, where to go, or how to complete an assignment, my advice has reached many students. This is only the tip of the iceberg of my advice background. Eighteen years of military experience as a first sergeant, supervisor, chief of operations, trainer, mentor, and air traffic controller have given me the opportunity to give advice in many circumstances not encountered in my years of teaching. This combination of education and military background gives me a unique ability to deal with a wide range of situations, from personal to professional and most of the gamut between. As a first sergeant in the Air Force it is my job to give the members of my unit advice on issues from housing to marital as well as giving my commander (boss) advice on how to deal with situations from recognition ceremonies to discipline proceedings. Lastly, not only do I have an education background, both a bachelors degree in education and a masters degree in administration, and eighteen years of military advice experience, I am also known as the "mouth." For most of my life I have been told I have a voice for either radio or television. In all of my previous professions my voice has been used to command attention, whether as an air traffic controller or in a military formation, people listen to my voice. All of this makes me uniquely qualified and talented enough to be the GMA Advice Guru.

What's the best advice you have ever given? What was the result?

As a military leader and educator I have always given one sound piece of advice, "If you work hard good things will come to you." It may seem simple and non-original, but it is the honest truth. The result of this advice has been seen many times over, whether it was while serving in Afghanistan where an airman of mine wanted to know how to insure he would get promoted, or one of my students who wanted to know what they would need to do to get away from his life after high school. In the first case, the airman did work harder than anyone else and was rewarded with the promotion upon his return home. As for the student, I still hear from him from time to time, he is working hard and hopes to be in college, away from home, soon.

Scott Nimmer is Finalist in GMA Advice Guru Contest

What would you tell this person: "Whenever there is an issue between my mother-in-law and me, my husband refuses to stand up for me. How do I get him to value our relationship more than the one with his mother?

Talk to your husband. If you are not communicating your feelings, he may not understand or even realize he is placing his mother's feelings above yours. Many men have a unique bond with their mothers and you have to realize this can take time for him to place you at that same level of reverence. In any case, sit down and talk to him, explain what you see, how you feel, and most of all a result you want to see. Just going in to complain never solves anything, approach the problem with a solution you can be happy with.

What would you tell this person: "While cleaning my son's room, I accidentally saw on his Facebook page threatening remarks from his friends. I fear he's being bullied. What should I do?"

Watch your son's behavior and his actions over the next couple of days to weeks. If there is no change in his behavior or demeanor there is a good chance it is something simple between two friends or something he has been able to handle. Too often parents are quick to jump in and solve all the problems for their children without giving them the opportunity to grow and face problems on their own. If, in fact, his behavior and attitude do change drastically, then approach the subject with him. Ask him if there is anything that may be happening. But remember, as a teenager it may take some time to get it out of him. In any case be supportive without being too overbearing. School is tough, it always has been and always will be, so just be there for him when he needs you.

What would you tell this person: "My boss keeps taking credit for my ideas. What should I do?"

Stand up for yourself. Nobody ever gets ahead in life by sitting back and letting others walk all over them. In this situation you will need to document the facts you have to support your claim and take it to the next level above your boss. In addition, talk to others in the workplace, if she/he is doing it to you, there is a possibility they have done it to others in the past. Most importantly, do not settle in this situation, you work hard and you deserve the credit for what you do, especially in today's work climate.

Submissions have been edited for length, style and clarity.