The Career Chronicles: An Insider’s Guide to What Jobs are Really Like
By Michael Gregory
$15.95, 258 pages, soft cover
New World Library (Novato, CA), 2008
Reviewed by Michelle Bombaugh
Visitation Coordinator, Office of Undergraduate Admissions
University of South Florida
In an effort to assist those uncertain about their future career choices and to clarify the mysteries surrounding various professions, Michael Gregory compiled The Career Chronicles: An Insider’s Guide to What Jobs are Really Like. This guide combines historical research with true testimonials from those in the field, making this a viable resource for students and professionals alike.
One of the strengths of this book is its’ clear-cut design. Gregory explores ten broad employment categories (Ex. Careers in Health Care, Careers in the Social Sciences, etc.). Within these sections, he devotes a chapter to each career field within that category (So You Want to Be a Dentist, So You Want to Be a Speech Pathologist, etc.). This is beneficial to students as it allows them to explore several careers within an area of interest.
The comparison of career fields is simplified through the identical layout of each chapter. Each chapter begins with an overview, which included the history of the field and applicable information concerning career specializations, recommended and/or required college coursework, employment levels, average salary levels, and certifications and/or licensures required to practice. Following this section are quotes from working professionals on topics including advancement opportunities, the degree to which college prepared them to work in the field, the composition of a typical day, and the most and least enjoyable aspects of the occupation. These candid responses allow the reader to truly see both the rewards and challenges of a career field.
In response to current environmental issues and the career trends associated with exploring alternative sources of energy, Gregory shrewdly includes a “Careers in Geoscience” section, focusing on Geologists and Social Scientists. However, he does not include a chapter devoted to Medical Doctors due to the doctors’ lack of time to respond to the questionnaire. I felt that the author could have explored alternative avenues in order to obtain the information necessary to include this increasingly popular profession. Other fields that might warrant individual chapters would include Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer. In addition, due to recent popularity of crime dramas, I would also have liked to have seen a section devoted to the areas of practice in Forensic Science. Students are attracted to the glamour of the field without an understanding of the profession.
This book provides an excellent resource to those in both secondary and postsecondary institutions. High school students would benefit from their guidance office keeping a copy of this book on hand to reference as they explore career and major choices in preparation for college selection. In addition, college academic advisors, admission counselors and career specialists would be wise to utilize this book to assist students who are undeclared or in the process of changing their field of study.