You Majored in What?: Designing Your Path from College to Career

Having just been fired from my new job, I was despondently wandering around the public library looking at books in the career and job-hunting section. I picked up a few, but, as is always the case, they were dry & uninspired, didn't apply to me or my situation as much as I'd hoped, and, frankly, made me feel even more despondent. Then I came across "You Majored in WHAT?" in the new books section. I resonated with the question as I'm a double-major in English and Philosophy with a minor in Anthropology ... living in an area where having a college degree has gotten me kicked out of more interviews than I can count (you don't need a degree to use a cash register or fry a burger). I thought it might be a book that was sympathetic to my situation (over-educated in an undereducated town) and would, at least, entertain me for an hour. I was wrong! It was so refreshing, positive, interesting, and inspiring that I actually got tears in my eyes. It gave me hope that somehow, somewhere, someday I'll be working in a job - a career - that makes use of my mind, my education, my talents and my interests. It's okay that, since my graduation, I've been wandering, trying to figure out where I belong and what I should/could be doing. It told me that my way of thinking has NOT been wrong these past few years - I'm allowed to try different things, I'm allowed to be confused, I'm allowed to still be figuring out what I want. Best of all, it showed me that there are others out there like me, those who are wondering what to do with their chosen majors, if it was all worth it, if everything will work out in the long run. This book is long, long overdue and so needed. A breath of fresh air in the all-too-stale world of work. This is a book that I will purchase and refer to again and again when the chips are down, and will recommend to many.

"You Majored in What?" is not your parents' job search manual. Providing a systematic, non-linear approach to career planning and professional assessment, Kate Brooks walks the reader through her "Wise Wanderings" method. The process draws on chaos theory as a metaphor for an entire career thinking process from brainstorming experiences, interests and strengths to setting goals and actionable plans allowing for multiple career paths. "Wandering Wisely" is a career approach for the 21st century. The chapters are rich in resources, creative strategies, and exercises that are the heart of the process. Reading "You Majored in What?" will surely make you think about your career and work in a new and exciting way. If you are looking for work now or considering a career change, take the time to do the exercises, embrace the chaos, and chart your options and actions with confidence and clarity. At any stage "You Majored in What?" will help you better: # Make new connections between your past studies and research, life and work experiences, and possible career paths going forward. # Articulate what your experience and interests have to offer the workplace. # Develop compelling stories: a vital skill in this social age, stories engage your audience from interview to professional networking situations, as well as project or executive presentations and conferences. # write a powerful resumé and cover letter # Plan for the unexpected, see new opportunities # Move more confidently into the future.

As the mother of a college student, the former director of a Business School program that partnered with Corporations to teach B-school students real life job skills, and a liberal arts major turned software project manager - I can honestly say that this is the BEST career advise book on the market, not only for college students, but for anyone who is looking for a job these days. This book is particularly useful in the current economy when even people with linear and 'safe' degrees are facing a difficult entry level job market, and more experienced job seekers are finding themselves back in the job market unexpectedly. You Majored in WHAT? teaches us that we shouldn't limit ourselves, or define our marketable skills to what's written on our diploma. This is the first career advise book that offers a path for those of us who didn't have a clearly mapped path and those who want to explore strengths beyond their degree. I wish it had been available 20 years ago and I find it equally useful as a mid-career adult. I would recommend this as the FIRST book to read for anyone looking for their first job, or but also for anyone who needs a fresh perspective on their skills at any point in their career

I have been a career counselor for almost fifteen years now, and my shelves are filled with everything from "What Color is Your Parachute?" to "Do What You Are" to "I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was". Until recently, I felt that most every career exploration book was retreading the same ground, connecting your skills, values, and interests in a linear way to matching job titles. Or, at the other extreme, telling you to just think happy metaphysical thoughts to change the universe and manifest prosperity. Then I read "You Majored in What?" - and I was blown away by a radically new approach to career exploration, based on Chaos Theory and what the author calls "Wise Wandering". It takes into account the fact that nobody follows a linear path to a lifelong career that fits perfectly. Instead, it leverages the seemingly random events in your life to provide clues to your attractors. Thank you, Dr. Brooks, for giving me a new set of tools to use with my clients. It's opened me up to new approaches, and reminded me that, as Tolkien said, "Not all those who wander are lost."

"You Majored in What?" walks you through the entire career process and the brainstorming before trying to make your career goals come to life. The Wise Wanderings career method removes the anxiety and stress from the career search process. This book is like therapy and career coaching in one. It is great for planning, identifying your strengths and allowing you to pursue more than one career path at once. The book has great resources for interviews, resumes, cover letters, grad schools, etc. I have recommended this book to all my friends that are professionals. This book is great for professionals and students.