I think you are taking the author's reasoning a little bit too literal. The gist is, Nicky is doing a job that she does not like, simply because she does not e

I think you are taking the author's reasoning a little bit too literal. The gist is, Nicky is doing a job that she does not like, simply because she does not even know of the existence of a job that suits her better. The filling of that position would be a win-win situation. The current 'off-balance' ness is just a metaphor.