Now What?: The Young Person's Guide to Choosing the Perfect Career

As a young professional who devoted so much time and energy to a career I thought I would love, it was disheartening to realize after 4 years and 2 companies that I hated what I was doing. I had no idea how to figure out what to do next... then I found my guide - my career coach and co-author of this book, Anthony Spadafore. I spent the last few months working with Anthony (www.pathfinderscareerdesign.com) and became a guinea pig of sorts as he helped me navigate my way utilizing this new book. Each chapter is filled with relevant and purposeful information, as well as meaningful inquiries to help you dig deep inside and really put some thought behind what you want to do for the rest of your life! You spend so much of your life at work... too much to be miserable and hate what you do. Don't you owe it to yourself to find what truly makes you happy, what satisfies you and empowers you? I think you do and this new book will help you do that. Unlike any other career-related program I've personally experienced or seen advertised, this book steps outside of that box and takes you down 3 separate paths that ultimately come together as one when you are ready to design your career: 1 - Natural Talents, 2 - Meaning & Subject Matter, 3 - Workplace Environment. This book goes against everything we are taught about choosing a career. I am willing to bet that most of you heard this question asked of you many times - "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Typically, you would answer with a job title such as "doctor", "fireman", "President of the United States", etc. Whatever your little heart desired - you can be anything! Well, I don't know about you, but the thought of "anything" was a bit overwhelming. And it's awfully disappointing to start down a career path, investing time, money, and energy into something you end up hating. I encourage you to read this book and learn how to approach it from the other side. Instead of picking the title first, try backing into it - figure out the components first, then find the title that meets your criteria. This book will help you with that - every step of the way. My biggest revelation that came about as a result of this process was that I didn't need to stuff myself into a career "box" that didn't fit. And for the last 4 years of my life, that is exactly what I was trying to do. It's no wonder I hated my job. It didn't fit who I was or what I desired - talents, meaning, environment and all. Instead, I made the choice to design a career "box" that fits me for who I am... not the other way around. I successfully completed Anthony's career change program using this book just a short time ago. Now, I am making choices and taking chances to pursue the new career that I designed... for me and me alone. I am a success story - a positive result of using this book. If you are truly serious about finding a career that fits, and you are willing to put the time and energy into this process, then you are in the right

Nick Lore has written a book that takes career choice seriously while writing in a tone that is light enough to be read. He has moved so far past those ridiculously unhelpful "aptitudes and interests" tests foisted upon high school and college students that it does this book a disservice by putting it in the same category as those tests. As an industrial-organizational psychologist, I have been impressed by the growing sophistication with which employers are trying to fit the person to the job and to the organization. A wide array of tests, screening mechanisms, and sophisticated recruitment strategies attest to the high value employers see in getting a good fit. Yet, the other side of the coin -- the young person's act of choosing a career -- has received far less attention and care. For the most part, the process and thinking behind such a critical choice is haphazard at best. "Now What?" doesn't sugar-coat this process. On the contrary, Mr. Lore portrays career choice as a profoundly difficult process that involves time and dedication. It is probably better to think of this book as a workbook than a mere self-help book. Yet, for the person who takes the time -- perhaps measured in weeks or months -- to work through Mr. Lore's process, there is the distinct promise that he or she will end up in that blessed minority of people who truly love their work. It has been years since I insisted that my 18-year-old son read a particular book. Until now. He's got his own copy now, as will his 14-year-old brother in a couple of years. I'll be helping both of them work through the steps Mr. Lore outlines "Now What?" until we're all the way through the process. I'm confident they'll see my gift of this book to them as I see Lore's gift to us: as an act of love.

I have two college-age young people in my family. As their dad, I have done my best to help them along toward living lives they love. Much of this is done trial-and-error since kids are not delivered with a user's manual. When it comes to helping them make excellent career decisions, I admit it, I'm lost. I just don't have the skill to be useful. And face it, the career centers at their colleges are completely unable to help. Up until now, there has been no really excellent guide for young people to design that perfect career. Author Nicholas Lore says a career that provides both a high level of success and a big dose of personal fulfillment is one that fits like a custom-made suit. It fits all the important parts of each individual: their individual strengths, talents, personality traits, values, passions. It also must be practical and attainable. He does not pretend that this is easy to do. In fact he says that only those willing to make a big commitment to the quality of their lives will not wind up in the 70% of college graduates who say they are either neutral or negative about their careers. This guide is the result of many years of research by a highly creative team. Lore is probably the most gifted person in his field, commended by U.S. presidents, creator of the field of "career coaching", also a playful and warm guy, friends with many of the great rock icons of the 60s, and appealing to young people of all ages. It is humorous, powerful, practical and brilliant. If you are ready to step into a future of your own design, this is the book to get. It will guide you all the way from wherever you are standing now to reaching that big goal of having a life and a career you love.

If you're a parent or stepparent challenged by how best to support your kids as they enter the 'real world', or a young person struggling to find your way professionally, or a counselor/educator/mentor dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the next generation, please heed my suggestion to run out and buy this book. Like Lore's first best-seller, THE PATHFINDER, NOW WHAT? is an equally life-altering experience! A must, must, must read.

Lore picks up where he left off with the "Pathfinder." His first book helped mid-career people shed damaging expectations, peel back the myths that our society places on work, and realize they could get or even create jobs that make them happy while focusing on the things they're actually good at. In many cases, the generation helped by the "Pathfinder" spent years or decades in jobs that made other people happy. "Now What?" can help students and younger workers save that time and make smart decisions earlier than we did.