Customer Reviews

Leaving Campus and Going to Work

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A friend of mine bought this a few weeks ago and I borrowed it to read while travelling to a job interview. It was not what I was expecting. Alot of books like this are very wordy and kinda hard to read, but this book explains things in what I call 'normal' language. I saw why each topic (and there were many) was discussed in the book (they made sense to know if you were working), and while there were some definite dos and don'ts in the book, most of the chapters told you the pros and cons for you to make the decision. I'm still looking for a job right now, but I've already picked up a few things that would even help me in my temp jobs. I would recommend it.

This book is a remarkable look into the do's and don't's of your first real job after college. No one else has approached the subject of "I've graduated, I have a job, now what?" with the insight and humor that Jason Smith applies in this book.

The book teaches any young professional (or seasoned vet) about how to avoid the pitfalls, mistakes, and failed expectations that many new hires face. Jason Smith has seen it all in 14 years of HR management, and has some very sage advice based on his own experiences.

The author has recorded an in-depth discussion of the book, which can be heard on the "lockjaw radio" podcast .

Highly recommended!!

This is a great book to introduce you to the working world. As a graduating senior in college, I really appreciate the insight and personal experiences the author revealed about the inner workings of the corporate environment. I feel much more prepared to handle my first job after learning how to talk effectively with my boss and how to prepare for the unexpected. The book covers all kinds of areas, from trying to fit with company culture to balancing your personal and working life. The chapter on finances, budgets, and planning for retirement was also a plus, since no one ever really explains those things to you. It is a funny, well-written book and is an essential guidebook for anyone entering the workforce.

Jason Smith was right, I accepted my job offer and thought "now what?" Thanks to him, I now know what to do in order to make good decisions for this first job, and with my new paycheck. And the greatest part is that he did this without being condescending and with real life examples and humor. The sections on finances, benefits, mentors and secret rules contained very good information that I have not seen anywhere else. Anyone graduating from school or moving into a new position should read this book.

Leaving Campus and Going To Work: Practical Guidance For The First Year Of Your First Job After College directly addresses substantive job seeking issues such as managing your own development, the issues with dating your co-workers, and the complexities of balancing your time on and off the job. T. Jason Smith (qualified with an MHR in Human Resources, and a SPHR designation from the Society of Human Resources), has written the ideal guide for helping college graduates understand both helpful behavior and behaviors to be avoided during the critical first year of employment. Very highly recommended, especially for new college graduates as well as those going through a career change.

Rebeccasreads highly recommends LEAVING CAMPUS & GOING TO WORK as a good guide book to the foreign country of the corporate world.

Written in an informal & informative way with, at times, unexpected humor, it covers such things as:

-- What Am I Supposed to Be Doing?!?!?!

-- Building Bridges

-- Big We, Little We, Not About Me

-- Watch Your Tongue

-- Why Do I Care About Company Culture?

-- The Unwritten Rule of the Day Is

-- You Truly Annoy Me, & much more!

Personal Realities

-- A is for Accountability

-- The First Year Emotional Curve

-- This Is Not Reality TV

-- Money - YOUR Money & more!

Maintain Perspective

-- The Roles You Play

-- Balance.

If you're about to head into the "real working world" or you have a student who is, then LEAVING CAMPUS & GOING TO WORK is just the ticket for wading into those office pools.

Leaving Campus and Going to Work was written by T. Jason Smith after he noticed the difficulties many new hires were having adjusting appropriately to the workplace. He found that while college was preparing students academically for the world of work they were not prepared for many other aspects of it. The first year of a job is of the utmost importance as ground work for the future so it is crucial to be ready in all ways.

The book is laid on in 3 straight forward sections.

Building a Solid Foundation addresses many of the 'hidden' pitfalls of modern corporate life such as company culture, unwritten rules and how to get along with fellow employees and bosses. An interesting point is in choosing an "Unknowing Mentor," someone chosen to emulate, watch and learn from. He suggests they are chosen by

"1. How well they do what they do. (Competence)

2. Why they do what they do. (Motivation)

3. How well they fit within their employer's culture. (Fit with the Culture)"

It also covers the basic skills covered in other workplace oriented textbooks but Smith provides the details needed to bring the information to life. In the subsection "Ready-Aim-Deliver" he has 5 core components on 'what your best looks like.' He teaches how to grab that big opportunity when it arises and use it to the fullest potential. His thoughts are clear, well thought out and detailed.

Personal Realities covers how personal choices and traits can affect the workplace such as being part of a team, responsibility, and what not to do in your free time. It also examines money management in budgeting those great first paychecks and how benefits are part of a salary package, what they are and their importance.

The last section emphasizes how to balance the 3 critical parts of life, what he calls "The Me Role, the we role and the us role." He describes each role, how they interact and the dangers of not balancing each of them together. It is a vital view of how to be both a valuable employee and a successful, well adjusted adult. This is a warning that is well needed by anyone entering the modern climate of the workplace for the first time.

The amazing aspect of this book is that is only 189 pages. T. Jason Smith was able to pack a huge amount of information into this small package by using the shorter sub sections with their combination of personal anecdotes and concrete advice. He adds a healthy dose of humor to balance the tough look at the transition from education to the workplace. This is an ideal gift for anyone entering the workplace for the first time.

There are many reasons people write a book...money, fame, etc... My favorite books are by authors who have been in the trenches and write from experience.

Jason Smith's Leaving Campus and Going to Work is one of these books. For over 14 years Jason has held human resources positions in the media, oil and gas, and merchant industries. What Jason has seen over and over in each of these industries is that quarterlifers consistently have the same frustrations and doubts during their first year of work.

As quartelifers we wonder if we've made the right career move, what is expected of us, and how long we will last at our new job. Not only do we have these questions but Jason has also seen that as quarterlifers we tend to sabotage ourselves with certain behaviors during our first year.

Leaving Campus and Going to Work is Jason's response to this pattern. In the book he addresses the most common questions that come up during the first year of work including:

-Applying Your Education

-Unwritten Rules

-Company Culture

-The Rules of Socializing

The book is concise, practical and comes from real world experience.

Jason C. Steinle, UploadExperience.com

Excellent resource for the recently out of school and in the workplace employee--although anyone will benefit from it. Perfect gift for a recent graduate. Written in plain, practical English that is easy and a pleasure to read. I would highly recommend it to others.