My favorite career books for your summer reading list

Reading all the negative news about the economy, layoffs and the rising price of oil is enough to depress even the most optomistic among us (of which I count myself.) So to inspire you this week, I wanted to share some of my favorite career books. This way, you can read something uplifting and inspiring and get ideas to take your mind off the negative and instead focus on moving your career forward.

–Looking to test out new career path?

Check out Test Drive Your Dream Job by Brian Kurth and Robin Simons. Brian is the founder of Vocation Vacations, a company that creates opportunities to test out different careers from winemaker to voice over artist to private investigator. With this book, you can set up your own test drive of any career you’ve been dreaming of. This week I’ll be test driving a dream career for me – cabaret singing! For those of you in the New York City area come see me live at Don’t Tell Mama on 46th Street between 8th and 9th avenues at 8:30pm on Thursday, July 24th.

–Ready to go from college to career?

Today’s college students are doing more internships, externships, informational interviews, studies abroad, etc. Yet many still feel lost when it comes to defining the ideal career. Getting from College to Career by Lindsey Pollak is THE resource that grads need to not only land a job, but create a career path that works. You can read Lindsey’s blog posted under my favorite links.

–Have a fear that’s keeping you from living your dream?

If you’ve been thinking about making a career change but just haven’t had the courage to make a move, check out Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Dr. Susan Jeffers. It’s a book I’ve read and reread all the times I’ve felt afraid to put myself out there in new ways. In fact, I’m listening to it now before my cabaret show on Thursday!

What career books have you found helpful? Are there a few you’ve found particularly inspiring?

(Photo courtesy of Moriza.)