In book after book, Naipaul is described as having "followed no other profession" than that of writer (at least one unhappy stint in the academy notwithstanding).

He considered joining the priesthood, but after a brief, unhappy stint in a seminary, went to Indiana University.

It's partly because the convulsions in the eurozone, which he predicted during his unhappy stint as Tory leader a decade ago, have given him the aura of a prophet.

He played for a veteran's minimum of $535,000 last season after returning to Philadelphia from an unhappy stint in Washington.

After college and a brief, unhappy stint in the administrative offices of a large hospital, Mr. Deutsch heard that the Golden Horseshoe's ice cream store was for sale.

Fallows is a writer who strayed into the snakepit of media-executivedom for a brief, unhappy stint.

Bye Bye Business Michael Green's reincarnation as a teacher came after a short, unhappy stint in marketing.

Ms. Clark has been a prosecutor for 13 years, a job she took after a short, unhappy stint as a defense lawyer.

"Things are absolutely fine," said Pietersen, who had a brief and unhappy stint as England captain before he and coach Peter Moores left their roles in January 2009.

A short, unhappy stint as president of Litton Industries' medical systems company followed and he went on to become a research vice president at Abbott Laboratories.