In a world of unprecedented opportunity—and pressure—women are struggling more than ever to make career decisions and move forward without second-guessing themselves. Young women graduate from college and believe they have to find the perfect path and then can’t decide which way to go. Undecided is an invaluable guide to this cultural phenomenon of “analysis paralysis.” Looking at both what the media and academic studies have reported on women, careers, and particularly the undecided phenomenon—as well as personal accounts from numerous women—mother and daughter Barbara and Shannon Kelley discuss how we got to this frustrating place, why it affects women in particular, and how today’s culture fuels our fears and distractions. The Kelleys cast a critical eye upon the psychology behind the pressure to choose, and they argue that if women are going to succeed in rising above the often-crippling demands of the modern world they need to take action . . . starting with a serious shift in perspective.
Undecided
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Thoroughly dissects an idea: unlimited opportunity means unlimited choices [and] burdens the chooser with responsibility, leav[ing] many women frozen or frantically job, city, and relationship-hopping in search of perfection --Jenna Goudreau, Forbes
A helpful new book... exhaustively researched. Undecided is not an academic career counselor's guidebook with testing or educational advice, but a compendium of on-the-ground stories of actual career choices. --Joyce Lain Kennedy, Chicago Tribune
... looks at the choices today's women have thanks to the success of the Women's Movement--and the unintended consequences... contextualizing it with stories of hundreds of women who call themselves undecided. --Santa Barbara Independent
A helpful new book... exhaustively researched. Undecided is not an academic career counselor's guidebook with testing or educational advice, but a compendium of on-the-ground stories of actual career choices. --Joyce Lain Kennedy, Chicago Tribune
... looks at the choices today's women have thanks to the success of the Women's Movement--and the unintended consequences... contextualizing it with stories of hundreds of women who call themselves undecided. --Santa Barbara Independent
From the Back Cover
"Undecided sheds light on the complexity of options for women today and the burden our culture places on women who 'settle'. If ever there was a call to arms for women's choice and a road map to better understand ourselves, it can be found in this impressive guidebook."
--Susan Shapiro Barash, author of You're Grounded Forever
"Job or career? Biker or banker? Paper, plastic, or recycled, reusable tote? Sane, sensible and funny, Undecided uncovers the many ways having too many choices can mess with a gal's head--with insightful tips for not only getting where you want to go but actually enjoying the ride." --Jenna McCarthy, author of The Parent Trip and the forthcoming If It Was Easy, They'd Call the Whole Damn Thing A Honeymoon
--Susan Shapiro Barash, author of You're Grounded Forever
"Job or career? Biker or banker? Paper, plastic, or recycled, reusable tote? Sane, sensible and funny, Undecided uncovers the many ways having too many choices can mess with a gal's head--with insightful tips for not only getting where you want to go but actually enjoying the ride." --Jenna McCarthy, author of The Parent Trip and the forthcoming If It Was Easy, They'd Call the Whole Damn Thing A Honeymoon
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By D Halasz
Format:Paperback
It was refreshing to find a "stuck in the rut; what do I do with my life" book that didn't come with a pat answer. There were no personality or job skills assessments. Instead the Kelleys shared stories from both professional and non professional women, married and single, happy and unhappy. They did not present any one secret for success, but I believe their goal was summed up in the first discussion question at the end of the book - which woman's life resonated with you the most and why?
I'm 33 years old, and this book spoke directly to my demographic.
I highly recommend this book to any woman who would rather fail by doing something than live with regret for doing nothing.
I'm 33 years old, and this book spoke directly to my demographic.
I highly recommend this book to any woman who would rather fail by doing something than live with regret for doing nothing.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A wonderful, insightful book that really helped me, as a 64 year old women, to understand the angst of my 40 year old daughter in her endless search for the perfect job, the perfect man and the perfect life. Having grown up in the generation where women's choices seemed so much more limited (I became a teacher), I have had a hard time understanding the inability to find satisfaction with all the endless choices women today. This book gave me a much better understanding of the "grass is always greener syndrome" faced with today's women. I loved all the stories from the different generations and look forward to spending time with my daughter discussing the book. A must read!
14 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Heather
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The first two chapters were very good at defining the problem I have (and why I bought this book): Why do I feel like a failure even with success? Why am I so petrified at this stage of my late-thirties trying to choose a new direction.
After that, I was suddenly reading a chatty feminist manifesto (and I'm a feminist) constantly informing me that I was about to be REALLY pissed off by an astounding array of facts -- but hey, we'll get to that later. Seriously. They used some variation of that phrase every five pages: Here's a topic. But we're going to talk about that later.
Hi, already informed about pay inequities and the inability to have it all. Got to page 170 and STILL didn't find out "How to ditch the endless quest for perfect and find the career -- and life -- that's right for [me]." It does not pay off the subtitle. Or maybe it will in a follow-up book. I don't know... I stopped reading.
After that, I was suddenly reading a chatty feminist manifesto (and I'm a feminist) constantly informing me that I was about to be REALLY pissed off by an astounding array of facts -- but hey, we'll get to that later. Seriously. They used some variation of that phrase every five pages: Here's a topic. But we're going to talk about that later.
Hi, already informed about pay inequities and the inability to have it all. Got to page 170 and STILL didn't find out "How to ditch the endless quest for perfect and find the career -- and life -- that's right for [me]." It does not pay off the subtitle. Or maybe it will in a follow-up book. I don't know... I stopped reading.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for people like me
I am a college student working two part time jobs as a dual major engineer wondering if I should get a full time position, work for industry, work in academica, work abroad or go... Read more
Published 1 month ago by M. Cruz
3.0 out of 5 stars
Tragically Deceptive Title
I have the same frustration as many on here; I started out LOVING this book, feeling like "OMG this was written for me! I happened upon a guide that might change my life! Read more
Published 1 month ago by M. Harris
2.0 out of 5 stars
There is no "how to". Just a stream of conscousness of research...
This is a typical self help book, where the author claims they have the answer to your "problem", proceeds to show off that they have time and research on this topic by... Read more
Published 4 months ago by SV
3.0 out of 5 stars
One Cupcake Away From Going Postal
Undecided is a book that sets out to answer the question:
Why are the women of today unhappy?
On the surface they have it all -
Good education.
Great job. Read more
Why are the women of today unhappy?
On the surface they have it all -
Good education.
Great job. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Minoo Jha
1.0 out of 5 stars
Where's the beef?
The authors spent about 200 pages describing the problem, then in the last few pages said I should settle for the job I already have (and hate).
Published 10 months ago by lymabean
2.0 out of 5 stars
Title does not correspond to the content
A friend of mine heard about this book after reading an article about indecisiveness in young women. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Kristina
5.0 out of 5 stars
QUITE A SURPRISE
I read this book with no small amount of trepidation. I am, after all, a man, an attorney with three women who are the most important people in my life. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Vincent
4.0 out of 5 stars
A lot of great insights...
Overall this book was a great read and I would recommend it to anyone that feels "lost" in their search of a career or any other major life decision. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Ashley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feminista!
This book is so much more than a guide for those undecided on their careers. This book is about the quandary of the modern woman... Read more
Published 22 months ago by modmomca
4.0 out of 5 stars
Speaking to the voice inside...
The first chapter of this book spoke to the voice inside my head. I have had a few successful careers all leaving a sense of helplessness and temporary satisfaction. Read more
Published 22 months ago by LB
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