Once again, I have been seriously considering letting go of this blog. I am always somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 books behind. I just don't have enough time (who does?) to write thoughtful reviews of even half the great books I read--and it makes me feel anxious all the time.
But then, just when I am ready to call it quits, I read a book that I am absolutely compelled to share here. The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use!
Ms. Burns, in the guise of her character, Working Girl, offers up her experience as one who has had "59 jobs over 40 years in 22 cities and 4 countries." That's her in a few of them in the cartoon above. While keeping the reader amused with the (true) tales of her many jobs, she shares her simple sage advice for what seems like every situation a person might encounter in daily life on the job, any job.
I say "person" because this book, while directed to women, is just as valuable for men. My husband who is in his 60's and the veteran of more jobs than he can count, picked it up the other day. I had to pry it from his fingers, so I could write this review. Over and over kept muttering, "That is so true," "I have to remember this one, " and "Boy, I wish I had known this when I was younger." He also kept laughing out loud. Now he wants to buy copies for all his co-workers.
Anyway, woven into short, very funny and occasionally horrifying vignettes on her jobs ranging from housecleaner to model, envelope sorter to English teacher you'll find simple, spot-on advice for how to deal with criticism (this alone would be worth the price of the book), perverts, disappointments, office friendships, and more.
You'll learn when it's time to go and when you should hang in there. You'll understand that while you are always working for yourself, it pays to be the best employee you can be (and how to do that). You'll even learn what to wear.
All this is just a glimpse of the valuable information packed in this book. There are fun charts like the Stress-o-Meter, to help you gauge your stress--the lowest level is "you have to fake enthusiasm" to the explosive " you feel your work is actually harming your town, country, the environment, human society, the cosmos." There are Eternal Truths sprinkled throughout, like "Just because you can do a job, doesn't mean you want to do--or should do--that job."
You'll also find Job Survival Tips from a variety of successful working women, tips and commandments, pro and con lists, and plenty of down to earth practical advice.
I don't think there's anyone who is working, has worked, or will someday work that wouldn't benefit from reading this book. It's everything you wish you knew and everything you'd like to tell your teenagers. I'd like to see it in every high school and college library, and I plan to buy it for every kid I know between the ages of 12 and 25.
The rest of my friends will have to purchase it for themselves.
Fortunately, right now The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use!
Oh, did I mention Working Girl is charmingly illustrated throughout with Karen Burns' own wonderful cartoon drawings? Just another cool touch in a fabulous, funny, and smart book.
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