Customer Reviews

AARP Crash Course in Finding the Work You Love: The Essential Guide to Reinventing Your Life

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I am halfway through this book. I stopped because I didn't know how to answer the survey about what I wanted to do. The book, perhaps because it is aimed at the over-50 set (like me), assumes you have broadly surveyed the world of work and know, more or less, what your dream job(s) would be. But what if you are a student of the world, like me? Or if you like widely disparate things, like, say, microbiology and architecture? A few more basic appitude tests and a few less easilly-garnered resources would be appreciated. The book is too much a compendium of resources that can be easilly gleaned from the internet or other information-saturated mediums. I was hoping for more wisdom and advice and fewer lists. Perhaps I was being unrealistic. To paraphrase an old saying: "You're born alone and you die alone, and in between, you have to figure out what to do with your life alone too."

Whether you are stuck in a job that you dislike or considering following your dreams to a new career, you will find a wealth of insight in FINDING THE WORK YOU LOVE.

As explained in the first chapter, "The reasons for changing careers--mapped out in this book--are as varied as each individual's personality. The common thread is that achieving happiness and success requires a tremendous amount of thinking, planning and action." (page 6)

Samuel Greengard provides every reader with powerful and varied stories of people who have successfully walked the path of changing careers. These stories are combined with detailed how-to information, personal worksheets, additional books and Internet web sites to help every reader discover how to pursue their own journey. As he concludes in the foreword, "For those willing to pursue their dream, the possibilities for regeneration and renewal are practically limitless."

I believe readers will use this resource for years to come. I recommend you get it and read it cover to cover.

I experienced a two-year period of unemployment and successfully transitioned into work assisting unemployed individuals of various ages for 10 years, I have a continuing interest in what works in finding meaningful work. I have read many books that contained bogus information that provided no real help for the reader. it is my belief that each person needs to take responsibility for his/her work life and not just focus on "finding a job." In today's unsettling economy, it is imperative that we all remain flexible and open to new avenues.

Samuel Greengard provides invaluable practical advice, insights, cautions and inspiration for those who are looking to find careers, work or new directions that will enrich their lives. I am greatly benefitting from this book. I would highly recommend it.

Tom Hart
Lomita, CA

Greengard has written an easy-to-read and practical guide for babyboomers who may want to "recareer." Divided into fourteen chapters, at the end of each there is a comprehensive resource list. Typical of most career books, it describes the current job market, offers exercises to assess your strengths and interests and a step-by-step approach to taking the leap. The two sections I especially find valuable are "What are my career options?" and "Money Matters." The former describes practical job options, what they pay, the demand and amount of education required. In the chapter "Money Matters" the author discusses real concerns such as the challenge for older women in the market place, health care coverage and other financial considerations when making a career change later in life. I recommend this book to any babyboomer who is contemplating a fresh start.

Sam Greengard's book Finding the Work You love is wonderful and I'd recommend it to anyone who is thinking of changing careers. I like how he balances personal stories of people who have made transitions in their professional lives with practical ways to make that dream a reality. Sam is a very skilled and professional author who himself switched careers early on to become a full time writer. I am glad he did. His byline fills a wide variety of publications and he is a sought after freelance journalist.
Cornelia Seigneur