They Don't Teach Corporate in College: A Twenty-Something's Guide to the Business World [Paperback]

Alexandra Levit (Author), Julie Jansen (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 20, 2009

"This insightful and essential guide to mastering the politics of corporate America should be required reading for every college graduate."
--James A. Boyle, president, College Parents of America

"This book is loaded with solid information designed to demystify the business world, including a short, to-the-point glossary of office lingo and a terrific chapter on how to make a long-term career plan."
--Anne Fisher, Fortune magazine

They Don't Teach Corporate in College has resonated with tens of thousands of readers and is currently used as a text in corporations and universities across the country. This new and updated edition reflects the unique needs and challenges of current 20-somethings, who want to get ahead, but lack the know-how and finesse to make it happen. It incorporates fresh tips for effectively managing your online presence, practicing the art of "intrapreneurship," and planning your next move inside or outside Corporate America.

Chock-full of personal anecdotes and written from the perspective of a wise older sister who doesn't want you to learn the hard way, They Don't Teach Corporate in College includes no-nonsense advice for:
* Making the smartest career move right out of college.
* Landing the job of your dreams by avoiding the "black hole" of HR.
* Establishing a strong reputation by encouraging others to like and cooperate with you.
* Navigating your organization's social scene and practicing cringe-free networking.
* Mastering skills that will take you anywhere, such as goal-setting and self-promotion.
* Combating negativity and coping with difficult personalities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...workforce newbies need a boot camp like this to face up to the rigors of the working week." -- Abby Wilner, Co-Author of Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties

"Alexandra Levit has written a savvy, informative guide for first-timers making their way in Corporate America." -- Stacy Kravetz, Author of Welcome to the Real World; You've Got an Education, Now get a Life

"Her straightforward, practical advice is something that all colleges should recommend to their outgoing seniors." -- Amy Joyce, author of I Went to College for This?: How to Turn Your Job Into a Career You Love

"This book explodes with practical and relevant advice for young professionals who want to master the fast track yesterday." -- Harry E. Chambers, Author of Getting Promoted: Real Strategies for Advancing Your Career.

"Whether you're having a quarterlife crisis or you just want an insider's guide to the working world, read this book." -- Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and The Leadership Pill --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Alexandra Levit is the author of four books and a writer for several career and lifestyle Websites, including the Huffington Post and Yahoo!. Her career advice has been featured in more than 800 media outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and National Public Radio. Levit regularly speaks nationwide at conferences, universities, and corporations on workplace issues facing young employees. A 10 year veteran of the business world, she lives in Chicago with her husband and son.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Career Pr Inc; Revised edition (April 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601630581
• ISBN-13: 978-1601630582
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alexandra Levit's goal is to help people find meaningful jobs - quickly and simply - and to succeed beyond measure once they get there. A former nationally syndicated columnist for the Wall Street Journal and a current syndicated columnist for Metro US, Alexandra has authored several books, including the popular They Don't Teach Corporate in College (Career Press 2004 and 2009), How'd You Score That Gig? (Random House/Ballantine, 2008), Success for Hire (ASTD Press, 2008), MillennialTweet (SuperStar, 2009), and New Job, New You (Random House/Ballantine, 2010). Her book on the top myths of business success is due out from Penguin/Berkley in 2011.

Alexandra is a member of the Business Roundtable's Springboard Project, which is advising the Obama administration on current workplace issues. She is a frequent national media spokesperson and has been featured in thousands of outlets including the New York Times, USA Today, National Public Radio, ABC News, Fox News, CNBC, the Associated Press, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and Fortune, and her articles regularly appear on the home pages of MSN and Yahoo!. She was recently named Money Magazine's Online Career Expert of the Year and the author of one of Forbes' best websites for women.

Known as one of the premiere spokespeople of her generation, Alexandra regularly speaks at conferences, universities, and corporations including Campbell's Soup, CIGNA, the Federal Reserve Bank, McDonalds, and Whirlpool -- on issues facing modern employees. Alexandra is also a global spokesperson for Microsoft's program for new hires and has recently been called upon to speak to executives and managers about how to most strategically leverage the talent of the Millennial generation.

Alexandra has ten years of experience providing integrated marketing communications solutions for Fortune 500 companies and is also skilled at providing guidance regarding twenty-first century motherhood, human resources and general business issues, and entrepreneurship. She graduated from Northwestern University and resides in Chicago, IL with her husband Stewart and son Jonah.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get ready for a life-altering education!, October 15, 2004

By 

Yelda Basar Moers (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: They Don't Teach Corporate in College: A Twenty-Something's Guide to the Business World (Paperback)

After leaving my job, I was disillusioned about the direction of my career in Corporate America until I picked up and read Levit's book. She provides a voice of reason and a voice of wisdom as she guides you through every stage of the corporate game to assure your own personal fulfillment and success. Levit gives the reader confidence and a new outlook because she does not just provide comforting words. She elucidates her point with concrete examples. With the "Take Home Points" section at the end of each chapter, she makes sure that she has drilled in the mind of her reader the key lessons to each chapter. She demystifies Corporate America as she decodes the lingo, reveals insider secrets and strategies to overcome the common obstacles all face, and provides tools to understand the psychology of the workplace. Chapters such as "The Purposeful Workday," which deals with time management, procrastination and organization, and "People Management," which tackles dealing with difficult people and managing relationships with coworkers, are a must read for anyone in any work environment. Stressed out? Consult Levit's chapter "Check Your Attitude at the Door" where she armors you with ways to combat negativity, anger, worry and stress to come out victorious!
This book is not a one-time read. I predict that readers all across the country will bring it to work as a reference guide.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleased, September 26, 2004

By 

Richard Golden (Walnut Creek, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: They Don't Teach Corporate in College: A Twenty-Something's Guide to the Business World (Paperback)

I was so pleased with Alexandra Levit's guide to the business world that I had to express my feelings. It made me see my role as a new employee in a new way. I especially liked the chapter on People Management. I thought that would be for executives or managers and that new people like me were the managed ones. I didn't realize the ways that I could manage THEM. Thanks.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They Do Teach Corporate in College, April 10, 2007

By 

M. Sakin (east hanover, nj United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: They Don't Teach Corporate in College: A Twenty-Something's Guide to the Business World (Paperback)

I am a College Professor and I have been using "They Don't Teach Corporate in College" as a supplement to my "Supervisory Mangement" Class. Alexandra Levit is right on the mark with this book. The students have really enjoyed reading this book and have learned so much from it. I have incorporated this book into my class discussions and the students will be more prepared for the corporate world because of it!