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You majored in what? : by Brooks, Katharine.

Publication: New York, N.Y. : Viking, 2009 . ix, 304 p. : 24 cm. Date: 2009

This book mainly helps people just graduated map your path from chaos to career. In the author’s idea, though most people think a linear path from their majors to jobs, reality doesn’t always match up to that traditional linear career path. Following this idea, the author introduced chaos theory. However, chaos theory is anything but chaotic. As mentioned in the book, the primary tenet of chaos theory is: chaos theory helps us predict the outcome of complex situations by asking us to assess what we currently know, what we cannot know, and what we can learn. Following her step, we can continue connect the dots, wander beyond majors and minors to explore the career path. In my mind, this theory is really practical in the real world to assume chaos are already here to get people prepared. I think this book would greatly helpful to people just graduated confusing to how to step into the outside world.

Out think : by Hunter, G. Shawn,

Publication: . xii, 273 pages : 24 cm

In Hunter’s book we examine innovation through various aspects in order to drive the outcomes that are desirable. Within the novel each chapter is appropriately labeled with one-word themes that the author expands on. Each revolves around one central idea in instructing on how to achieve innovative leadership. The chapters are uniquely divided with sections that address specific topics within the central theme. Woven through the content are personal examples along with other stories to help drive the point home. Furthermore, at the end of each chapter, Hunter provides a recap to help summarize and also questions and/or activities for the reader to engage in to help solidify his points. This book could be confined to those who are especially interested in entrepreneurial endeavors. However, that would unfairly diminish the value of its content. This book is for all ages in any stage of life as it provokes hard questions, encourages action, and creates leadership that just may very well be the spark that illuminates and changes what we have accepted as normal.

First, break all the rules : by Buckingham, Marcus.

Publication: New York : Simon & Schuster, 1999 . 265 p. ; 24 cm. Date: 1999

These two authors have written a book that describes the qualities a great manager possesses. To do this, they have taken very in-depth interviews conducted by the prestigious Gallup organization, and extrapolated on the data found. Tey have written it full of real life examples, little stories, to illustrate and prove their points as well as addressed each of the survey questions. They have broken the book down into “Keys” to management, from “Selecting for Talent” to “Finding the Right Fit”, truly explaining, through phrasing various questions, what an outstanding manager must do. The book helps show the importance of enabling and allowing growth within the individuals one must manage, and emphasizes the steps to take to do this. Anyone looking to become a successful and unique manager, one that truly impacts others, this book is a must!

How to get into the top consulting firms : by Darling, Tim.

Publication: [United States] : Intaglio Pub., 2011 . 128 p. : 28 cm. Date: 2011

In Tim Darling’s “How to Get into the Top Consulting Firms” he addresses topics that surround multiple areas around case interviews. Before the book dives into giving instruction on how to tackle such interviews, Darling briefly examines and assesses the life of consultants. Naturally, then, the book follows by providing advice on resumes and pre-interview activities. As we are directed into the main content, the author divides the sections into case interviews, sample case interview dialogue, behavioral interview, and exercises to practice structuring. This book is for any interviewee who wants to prepare for case interview as well as any who are interested in the consulting field. Furthermore, this book instructs the reader in a way of thinking through problems that can prove to be helpful in their career.

The successful introvert : by Gelberg, Wendy.

Publication: Cupertino, CA : Happy About, 2008 . xii, 94 p. ; 22 cm. Date: 2008

The Successful Introvert guides those who may feel out shadowed during the interview and job search process. First, the author breaks down the difference between shyness and extroversion and gives examples of well-known individuals who exemplify these characteristics. Next, the author walks you through finding job leads and how an introvert can create an appealing resume. By using connections and networks, introverts can work within their comfort zone and work outwards. Once an interview has landed an interview, the author finally walks through ways you can promote yourself. Overall, this book can be helpful to an introvert who is struggling to embrace themselves. There are quotes placed without the book that are inspiring. I would also recommend watching Ted Talk videos about introversion if this topic is intriguing to you!

Advice from the Top: What Minority Women Say about Their Career Success. by Campbell, Valencia.

Publication: Praeger, 2009 29 Date: 2009

This book was very helpful and worthwhile in that it offers a compilation of success stories from minority women in many different industries. It was interesting that not only did the author include stories from “traditional” industries, she also included many success stories from challenging career fields that minority women might find struggling to enter or succeed in. The author discusses a variety of challenges that women often face in the work place, as well as suggestions and “advice from the top” to overcome these obstacles. It offers the reader a great amount of inspiration to achieve their maximum potential, despite of any social norms and expectations that might stand in the way. Essentially, it is an inspirational guide on how to overcome the glass ceiling in the work place with a perfect balance between stories and information. I would recommend this book to any student with aspirations to achieve high standards in their careers. Whether you are a woman, someone who comes from a minority background, or even none of the above, this is a worthwhile read to gain more understanding of the struggles minority women face in the workplace, and each individual will be able to take away a piece of advice with them in each woman’s story.

How to be useful : by Hustad, Megan.

Publication: Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 2008 . xxi, 232 p. ; 22 cm. Date: 2008

This book is the singular most funny, truthful, realistic, and outstanding book in the Career Center library, without contest. If the bright pink cover doesn't tip you off, I’ll tell you: this book is not traditional in any way. Hustad discusses the “right” and “wrong” ways to do a lot of things when you first start your career, but in a clever, realistic way with examples that many millennials can relate to such as Paris Hilton and Donald Trump. In addressing the misconception that hard work is all you need to succeed, Huston is able to show the bigger picture while still focusing on the details of the attitude one must have at work. With tips on how to present yourself at work, how to talk with coworkers, how to poke fun at yourself, Hustad really understands what it takes to not only survive at work, but what it takes to succeed.

Breaking the bamboo ceiling : by Hyun, Jane.

Publication: New York : HarperBusiness, 2005 . xxiii, 320 p. ; 24 cm. Date: 2005

Due to Asian American’s unique cultural lenses, Asian American Professionals tend to operate on an entirely different plane. I was so attracted by the title of this book, as the author interestingly acknowledges that Asian American do face obstacles in the workplace and it asserts that there are cultural barriers that play a role in impeding career advancement. I consider this book as a career tool kit to refer, as the author divides this book into three parts: understanding Asian cultural influence and its impact; career choices and getting in the door; getting ahead on the job. In each part, the author offers tips, case studies, and detail advice for readers to refer. I think this book is especially helpful for Asian American to get moving up in their career paths!

175 best jobs not behind a desk / by Farr, J. Michael.

Publication: Indianapolis : JIST Works, 2007 . xi, 420 p. : 23 cm. Date: 2007

This book is so interesting that I can use it as a dictionary to find the “best jobs” related to my major and passion to go for. In this book, the author divides it into two parts. In the first part, the author used tables to list 175 best jobs based on U.S Department of Labor: highest pay, fastest growth, most openings and metropolitan areas with the highest percentages of the best jobs. Readers can easily search the related jobs to them by the classification the author made. In this second part, the author has all the detail information of these jobs: data elements, summary description of tasks, level of activities, skills, work environment, related knowledge and courses and so on. So readers can dig into more information in the part two to decide if they are really into these positions and if these positions truly fit for them. I personally really like this book and I found the first best job listed in this book is registered nurse, surprised!

What can you do with a major in psychology? : by O'Hara, Shelley.

Publication: Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley, 2005 . xiii, 127 p. ; 21 cm. Date: 2005

Shelly O’Hara organizes this novel to assist those who are interested in any disciplines related to Psychology. This instructional book walks the reader through topics of majoring in psychology, choosing a college, collegiate activities, post graduate options, and career possibilities. Perhaps the most valuable and helpful section is the case studies located in the back where six different people are featured through case studies examining their occupation within the field of psychology. This book is for the college student who is interested in psychology and would like to explore the options within this major. This book is also for the college student who is thinking of switching into or, conversely, having doubts with this major. Don’t let the book cover deter you from reading its content. With graphs, advice, and additional resources this book can guide those interested in finding an occupation that is fit for them.

The big guide to living and working overseas / by Hachey, Jean-Marc,

Publication: Toronto, Ontario, Canada : Intercultural Systems, 2007 . 1084 p. : 24 cm. + Date: 2007

This is a great read for anyone looking to expand their careers internationally after graduation. It offers a lot of information, from how to write a resume geared towards international careers, how to go about interviewing for these positions, step by step action guides to success, and et cetera. The way that it is written is especially focused on college students interested in starting their careers abroad, with plenty of information of how to test the waters by volunteerism, study abroad programs, and traveling, to name a few. It was geared towards Canadian readers, but most of the information is applicable to American students as well. The books also offers an extensive list of resources to begin your research as you prepare for your international study abroad / interning experience, or full time career. Coupled with the information aspect, the writer also offers a ton of great advice and tips for those looking to expand their careers, which most would find helpful. Although it is a large book, it is easy to shift through and understand, while offering very comprehensive information. The only thing I would note is that the book was published in 2007, so I would be sure to check out other books, websites, and resources on this topic in order to get the most updated information out there. At the same time, this book is packed with a lot of information all in one, so it is a great place to begin your research and get your “head in the game” since it eliminates a lot of research time. Overall, it seems extremely useful to those interested in an international career, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to do so!

Military to federal career guide : by Troutman, Kathryn K.

Publication: Baltimore, MD : The Resume Place, 2010 . 136 p. : 28 cm. + Date: 2010

This book discusses extensively the process of writing federal resumes for veterans in a succinct and informative manner. With case studies throughout the the book, easy to read print, and simple step by step instructions, Troutman has truly introduced an indispensable resource to the veteran community. Not only are the basic steps to a resume discussed, but understanding exactly what a federal vacancy announcement entails is explored as well as the difficult and intimidating search for various federal jobs explained. Showing how the federal job search is different from both civilian and military job searches is a main point this book successfully addresses and it even includes a computer CD with further examples and resources. Troutman does an outstanding job of speaking directly to those in the military, giving them extremely important, specific, and encouraging information in their endeavor to continue working for their nation.

More than money : by Albion, Mark S.,

Publication: San Francisco : Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2009 . xxvi, 105 p. : 23 cm. Date: 2009

This book is so interesting as it talks about one step further than money. In the book, the author conveys mainly two key messages: money is a significant tool to serve yourselves and people around you; you can create a better world besides money. As the name show, this book is full of inspiration, courage, and guide to the future career. In every beginning of chapter, the author starts a question to continually talk about his opinion. I found this really drawing my attention to keep reading on as he would always make a good guess of your confusion and provide the possible solutions to deal with it. I think this book is more applicable for MBA students since the author himself is a leader in a community of service-minded MBAs. And after reading over this book, I surprised figured out that I know myself more and was inspired by courage to go for a way more than money!

So what are you going to do with that? : by Basalla, Susan Elizabeth,

Publication: New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2001 . vii, 165 p. ; 21 cm. Date: 2001

In, “So What Are You Going To Do With That?,” authors Susan Basalla and Maggie Debelius tackle the age-old worry frequented by most colleges students—their post-college career. What perhaps differs in this particular book is that the target audience is graduate students, and the problem that the authors seek to remedy is helping grad students find job satisfaction “outside of academia.” They approach this through a variety of methods. First, they help the reader assess their current situation (such as asking yourself whether or not you should finish your dissertation). This enables the reader to decide whether or not a career “external to academia” is right for them. Then, the book acts as a guide through which the reader can determine (through a bit of “soul searching”) what potential jobs will fit them, how to learn more about a company, and how to succeed in an interview. While the novel is tailored towards grad students (and thus, I believe this book to be of immense importance to any graduate student considering a unique career path), I have also found that this book may prove beneficial to undergraduate students. For example, the authors discuss how to request an informational interview with a company, which would be helpful for any student seeking employment. Furthermore, the books offers advice on transforming CVs into resumes, as well as tips on acing an interview. All of these skills resonate in the career search, regardless of your student status.

Work on purpose / by Galinsky, Lara.

Publication: [New York] : Echoing Green, 2011 . 119 p. : 20 cm. Date: 2011

Lara Galinsky’s Work on Purpose is a novel that can be dangerously powerful if applied correctly. This book follows five personal narratives as they develop their stories through the four chapters: where it all begins, lives out of whack, heart and head syncing, and hustle. This easy read along with pictures to help contextualize is not afraid to ask the reader deep questions on why it is they do what they do. Although this book stems from personal profiles of nonprofit organizations tackling some of the world’s biggest problems, it is suitable for any who seek purpose in their lives through their occupation. If you are looking to align your heart with your head this book is for you. If you are looking to craft a meaningful career this book is for you. This is an excellent read that will inspire and move hearts to where they belong.

Working world : by Mueller, Sherry Lee,

Publication: Washington, D.C. : Georgetown University Press, 2008 . xviii, 246 p. ; 22 cm. Date: 2008

The Working World is a feel good, go-getter book about how you can make an impact. To start, you are encouraged to think about what you really want to do and get out of life. It then coaches you how to use networking and mentors to achieve those goals. If you are looking for more international contacts, the authors provide several lists of professional organizations that you can join to add to your resume and network within. Furthermore, the authors provide a nice list of books and websites you can utilize to learn more about international positions, internships, volunteer opportunities, and government positions. One thing I liked most about this book is that it is realistic. They authors do not make the job search sound like a fun or always successful endeavor. Instead, they call your career search a “continuous journey” and it is up to the individual’s hard work to make experiences happen. In fact, they suggest you accept the fact that we live in a world with too much in formation and too little time. When you come to terms with that and find patience, it is more likely that you can feel less overwhelmed and more likely to use your resources in a productive manner.

Graduate admissions essays : by Asher, Donald.

Publication: Berkeley [Calif.] : Ten Speed Press, 2012 . xiii, 241 p. : 26 cm. Date: 2012

The book is very well organized and contains a lot of detail. Not only does it offer a great range of advice and tips for students struggling with essay writing, it is also written in a way that’s entertaining and engaging to read, which can be difficult for books containing information such as this. This book offers guidance on how to create a personal statement, steps to go about asking for letters of recommendation for your application, how to make yourself stand out from other applicants, and countless great essays to read over and get inspiration from. I would recommend this book to any undergraduate students looking to send applications for graduate school. Even for a junior, sophomore, or even a freshman, it is great to read this book to start thinking about how to prepare for graduate programs in the future. Since it does not apply to any specific career industry or field, it is applicable to students thinking about any major. I would also recommend this book to any career guidance professionals, in order to assist students in offering a step-to-step guideline of how to get through graduate program applications essays.

How To Find Your Mission In Life. by Bolles, Richard Nelson.

Publication: Ten Speed Press, 2005 29 Date: 2005

When one thinks of a career, things such as major, salary, interests and passions, resumes, interviews, and big names in the industry come to mind. But what about the search for a career not based on figures and numbers but on the abstract concept of self and of purpose? Richard Bolles truly addresses and assists those who are searching for their mission in life, for their path in this book. Through combining spiritual or the religious part of life with the career aspect of life, something that many fear is unacceptable, Bolles has brought together into a small book the idea that the two are truly connected. In the small stories, short quotes, and thought provoking questions, Bolles has introduced this idea of mission in life as not only a religiously minded one, but one that has a lot to do with the job search. This truly is a great, short, and intriguing read, good for one just beginning to develop themselves further as a person and one just starting the job search.

101 salary secrets : by Porot, Daniel,

Publication: Berkeley, CA : Ten Speed Press, 2000 . ix, 211 p. : 14 cm. Date: 2000

This pocket book talks about salary secrets to help readers negotiate with employers. In this book, the author looks salary negotiation as advertising copy, each second spending effectively on negotiating is extremely crucial. Further, the author discusses some myths in the area that people tend be misguided, which help readers to bravely mention it out to employers. Also, the author gives a series of suggestions about timing, attitude, specific strategies and art of negotiation to assist readers increasing opportunities to succeed. I found this book really interesting and easy to read due to its pocket size and detailed tips for you to refer. And you can read it on the bus, in the café, even on your way to negotiate your salary!

Luck is no accident : by Krumboltz, John D.

Publication: Atascadero, Calif. : Impact Publishers, 2004 . vii, 155 p. : 23 cm. Date: 2004

Luck Is No Accident is an overall very easy read. The author makes the book very straightforward and engaging. Luck Is No Accident is full of different types of examples ranging from surveys, comics, lists, and many more. The book covers the topic of taking charge and owning ones career and life and taking steps to get on the right path towards success. The advice isn't limited to just one career or industry but encompasses tips for anyone regardless of profession or experience in their respective industry. Overall, I'd recommend Luck is no Accident for anyone looking for different tips or advice for dealing with all the different curve-balls life can throw.