READY SET GO: How to Find a Career That's Right for You

by Sara Gilbert ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1979

Like Gilbert's Fat Free (1975), this is a relaxed-sounding, fairly general advice book rather than a rigid prescription for success. Gilbert starts by sorting out various preference, achievement, and aptitude tests, specifically and in general, with a word on their shortcomings and a few on how to take each type. She talks about the various ""pieces of paper"" (high school, college, training-school diplomas) required for different jobs, and warns against unscrupulous training schools; she reviews advantages and disadvantages of blue-collar, white-collar, and technical jobs; and she suggests that those who haven't the money or grades to train for the jobs they dream of should consider less exalted ones in the same fields (e.g., medical technician instead of doctor). She recognizes the imperfections of school counseling services, urges readers to ""make your own good luck,"" and counsels hanging loose: if you can't decide when graduation time comes, take a year or so off; don't hesitate to change direction in mid-career, as no choice is final and no experience wasted. It's too bad, though, that she didn't take this last point a step further. Though she emphasizes matching job plans with interests, she doesn't mention pursuing interests for their own sake. For many, job and interests don't match up till after college, but if the interests are strong the jobs are more likely to follow. At twelve or fourteen, exploring interests is a better job investment than thinking about jobs. Overall, though, this is properly flexible and refreshingly sensible.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1979

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Four Winds

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1979

Categories: NONFICTION