Welcome to the Real World: Finding Your Place, Perfecting Your Work, and Turning Your Job into Your Dream Career – Navigate the Office, Master Time Management, and Earn Your Promotion

by Lauren Berger

The essential book every workplace novice needs—a smart, practical, and fun guide to help them navigate the minefield of personalities, learn to work with their boss, identify priorities, and ultimately kick butt at their first job. It’s a challenging time to be young and new in the workplace. Your parents can’t help—the rules have all changed, and faster than guide books can keep up. In Welcome to the Real World , career expert and entrepreneur Lauren Berger arms a new generation of workers like you with the tools you need to succeed. She feels your pain. She’s been in your shoes. Just a few years ago, she was you. In a world defined by uncertainty, she argues you need to be bold, take risks, and understand your value. She shows you how to think of your job as a link that will eventually connect you to the opportunity of your dreams. It’s time to get comfortable getting uncomfortable, she advises. Her essential handbook tells you everything you should know to make the most of your first on-the-job experience, including how

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, College

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 22, 2014

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book looking for inspiration, advice on how to turn an "okay" entry level job into a career that I'm passionate about. Basically, I was looking for what the subtitle told me I'd be getting.

Straight off the bat, you learn that Lauren Berger does *not* have any qualms about tooting her own horn. She doesn't let you get through a section without reminding you that she is an entrepreneur, a business-owner, a CEO. We get it! In addition, she name drops constantly, in a way that is clearly intended to lend authority to her tips, but actually is just annoying. Is it really that important that the reader knows that all of her "friends" are also CEO's or heads of departments?

As far as the book itself goes, most of this is geared towards assistants. Advice is offered about how to better schedule your bosses meetings, and how to manage your time when *everyone* wants to have lunch with you... Not to mention the contradictory advice. In one section, Lauren claims that you should never leave before your boss, but in another she says you should leave when the day is over..

Almost nothing in this book is new information. Time management, being able to write a professional email, knowing what to wear to work... these are things that anyone who already has even an entry level position should know. If anything, this book would be better for people who are about to start their first job, not those who already have one.

In the end, I didn't get any of the advice I sought, and I was hate-reading almost from the very beginning. Confidence is key, but narcissism is obnoxious.

[Paulina Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise and entertaining writing, she offers good tips for success in the workplace. I found it relevant even during my job search!

[Playground of Randomness · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that I wish I had when I started my first job.
Lauren Berger shares real life examples of how to deal with "The Real World", possible pitfalls at work and just how to overall kick ass at work without suffering burnout.
Even after a few years into my first job, I still found so many things helpful in this book.
Lauren stresses the importance of work-life balance and taking care of yourself.
Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of the workplace whether it is dealing with rejection, how to become better organized, possible problems you may encounter at work and how to work with different types of people.
All of this super-handy info is told in a conversational manner so it is almost like having a mentor guide you through the workplace (and speaking of mentors, she discusses that too).
If you are a college graduate or you know a college graduate, I highly recommend this book.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are young and/or driven, this book is a really good guide to have after you graduate from either high school or college. Wish that I would have known some of this stuff as I was starting my career when in my 20's. Just keep in mind that you will not always follow what she says to the letter. As time goes on, you will have to modify your way of working - being more efficient or finding the ideal work hours that fit your lifestyle, for example.

[Emarrah Contessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I've already been working for seven years, I still found this book refreshing and relatable. It's like a postmortem review on everything I did as a working woman, and an eye-opener on what else I can improve.

I recommend this book not just for first-time jobbers, but generally for women who are in their twenties.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little book about first jobs. Covers dos and don't in a very comprehensible way. Great for new graduates of college. The book states it's intended audience is over 21. I'm impressed by how well it's written and organized.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

BLUF: Good guide for those looking for or starting their first job. For those on the job a year or more, you will get a few great tips, but this is a guide, not a self-improvement book.

Pros

- Few great tips including: importance of organization, setting priorities, and managing expectations; phone/email etiquette; research expectations; and FIO (figure it out).
- Her writing is easy to read and she uses personal experience for examples.
- Great foundation for those new to having a career to build from.

Cons

- Written with the assumption you are going to be an assistant or secretary.
- Few bad tips including: Knowing your supervisor’s friends and favorite restaurants; solving office politics by simply ignoring your frustrations and continuing on in a miserable environment as if it wasn’t; telling your coworkers and customers about your next dream job when you’re still at your current employer; and showing up first and leaving last aka, revolving around your boss’ schedule (Okay advice, but my job is to be efficient. Should I feel obligated to come in at 8:30 like my boss? No, I’m going to kick butt at 6:00. Also, dedicating time off the clock to your employer will often get you in trouble).
- All advice centers on the author. This means that there is a strong chance it’s not applicable to you. For example, telling night owls to wake up early because it works for the author is rather counterproductive for the night owls.
- Has a section on how to deal with a difficult boss, but doesn’t actually give you any good advice! This would have been the most beneficial section to those of us a year or two into our first jobs
- The last sections on how to schedule your social skills and other personal, non work related was halfbaked.

A year ago when I started reading this, I adored it. Now, I just thought it was okay. It has some good tips, but I didn’t like that it gave a single solution. Because of this, it turns from a self-improvement book to simply a good guide to start from until you can build your own work ethic.

** I received this book through GoodRead's First Reads program.**

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Came across this and decided to take a look. I'm not her target audience, but thought I could still learn some things. I wound up skimming because, as others stated, she seemed to tell a lot of stories about being an assistant and her specific field. For a person new to the workforce, some of it will be beneficial. I will say that she peppers her book with lots of personal stories of what she learned but I didn't always agree with her take. For example, she told a story of her and her boyfriend being bumped to first class on a flight. After finding out they weren't seated with each other, they each asked the person next to them if they would be willing to switch seats but both answered no. The person next to her wound up chatting with her on the flight, which she thought was nervy after he told her no. In fact, she called him a jerk. Maybe I missed something, but she never specified that he was rude to her, just that he said no. So why was he a jerk? Because he didn't comply with her wishes? He later emailed her to ask if she was willing to collaborate with him (granted, his email referenced the fact that he wouldn't switch seats) and she ignored it because he made a bad impression on her (the moral of her story about networking), but I felt that she came across as petty, entitled and less than gracious. Stopped reading after that.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I breezed through this in a couple of hours. There's some thoughtful advice sprinkled throughout, but my biggest issue with this book is that 1) any young adult who has ever held a job or internship prior to college graduation should already know this information, and 2) the advice is geared towards an very narrow audience (think administrative assistant at a LA talent agency). It seems to me that much of her advice isn't really applicable to entry level jobs in different industries (tech, finance, education, consulting, retail, CPG...)

That being said, I overall enjoyed Lauren's writing style. While the book didn't teach me anything new, it was interesting to compare her advice and experiences to my own, now that I've been at my first post-grad job for a year. This book might be more useful to a current college student about to begin his or her first internship than a recent college grad with prior professional experience.

[Kimmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Welcome to the Real World is a very specific type of of book catered to a very specific type of person. It bills itself as being for anyone getting out of college and entering the workforce (and there is some general advice in here that applies to most people) but mainly it focuses on upper middle class women in office jobs and specifically entertainment industry/ assistant positions. Berger's writing style made this book relatively easy to get through, there's enough personal anecdotes to keep the relatively dry information flowing from chapter to chapter. I don't feel like I came out of it having learned anything particularly groundbreaking but if you've really never worked a basic entry level job before graduating college and maybe didn't have parents to teach you the basics of finances and professional interactions this could be helpful.

[AshleyiSee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit sceptical at first , but Lauren changed my mind! This is a great read for any Junior or Senior in college - a real must! I feel this also works well for those about to graduate from their Master's programs as well. There is a lot of advice that works for both, and it is clear, clear, clear!

Each chapter is written with excellent execution. The book progresses well and I love how Lauren sums up everything at the end. It's easy to read from cover to cover or simple enough to pick through to the sections that you're only interested in.

If you're still wary, this is a perfect title to get from the library if you're not sure how this book might relate to you. (But trust me - if you're about to graduate college - this is a great investment!)

[Jaymee · Rating 4 out of 5]

great real world advice! i picked it up because it was on display at my local independent book chain and i cannot resist a non-condescending self-help book aimed at millennials.

it's fantastic advice for people transitioning from school to their first professional job, and i'd definitely gift it to any new grad or young adult. took a star off though, because i would have liked to see some advice aimed at people who work blue-collar jobs, or people struggling to find the work they wanted.

but lauren berger has written a few books. maybe this is fodder for her next one.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren Berger talks about her mistakes and life experiences when she entered the work world. She provides tips and advice for young adults to help them get organized, manage their time, act professional, and manage their finances.

However, a lot of this information just seems like common sense to me. (I am about ten years older than the target audience of this book.)

This book would be perfect for young adults who don't have much experience with adult responsibilities (work, paying bills and taxes, housework, etc). But if you are already a mature, responsible adult then give it a miss.

[Anne-Marie G · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways the advice she offers is both very generic and very specific. She peppers what she says with personal anecdotes, but she expects her reader to be searching for/in a job similar to the one she has had. Her advice is tailored to people who are assistants in a PR field, mostly. But she does have some good tips to keep in mind generally speaking (most of them seem to be common sense to me tho).

[Ashling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This should be a book that comes with every diploma. Life after graduation is difficult - I have found it to be the most trying time of my life, even two years later. This book put a lot into perspective for me and helped me realize that I am on the right path, I am making the best choices, and I am going to mess up. Lauren is truly inspiring and a great role model for college students and graduates.

[Mayumi Amargo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren provides concrete advice in a tone of college buddy familiarity. I found some nuggets on how to stay in contact with former bosses by setting up Google alerts helpful. Learned that the IRS provides free Tax Teaching classes. There were many solutions to common workplace problems. Helpful social aspects to working. A lot of affirmation that I am headed the right way in independence in my career and financial life.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lauren tells you to get your highlighter ready, this is no joke! As a senior in college, getting ready to graduate, this book was exactly what I needed! I now feel ready for the real world, with relatable stories, Lauren does an excellent job! Must read for any near graduate or college graduate!

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for a free as a Goodreads Giveaway. Having previously won a life-after-college book back in 2011, I wondered whether this one would be similar. I like the fact that this book was short and to the point, had examples, and a brief summary at the end of each chapter. It also had some organizational and finance tips that I was not aware of and plan to use.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like a 3.5. I initially picked up this book for my niece as a gift for her graduation. However, as I thumbed through it, I realize this was more for a college graduate than a high school one.

It was definitely a quick read and even I got a few tips from it, but it seemed a bit too simplistic. Then again, maybe that's what makes it so relatable.

[Nikki Tetreault · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ton of information for undergrads or newly graduated indivudiuals, with a tone preferential to women. I did find I knew a lot of the information in this, but found very useful little tidbits here and there, and it was a nice kick in the pants reminder to things I did already know about. Would recommend to undergrads and new grads!

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had really great tips for your career. The only thing I didn't like about it was the fact that it was repetitive in some parts. She seemed to use the same tips, just for different areas. Also, she used too many examples from her own life to fill in certain areas, instead of giving tips and advice.

[Alan E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that I really enjoyed reading this book, and I'm not entirely sure if it was because the way it is written, or that I felt as if it was written for people like me. There are a lot of tips and recommended attitudes to take in several situations that I've found to be quite useful. I'd recommend it to young professionals starting up their careers.

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advice for youngsters totally new to the workplace. A little too simple for teens/college age students who have had many internships and built up office skills.

[Kait · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very well-written, but there were some useful tips in here.

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Had good points that I can use and refer to. But a lot of examples did not apply to me and my career.

[Becky Morlok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best suited for those just getting out of college (or high school) looking for their first jobs.

[Helenia Quince · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mainly business advice not really helpful when talking about finances and budgeting. I really suggest if you are a business major or plan on owning your own company.

[Fallon Willoughby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs to read this. If you are at your first job or second, or even trying to get your first job (your first real job that is), go get this book!

[Amory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some good advice, but a solid amount of it felt like common sense things to me. I'd say this would actually be more useful for high schoolers than college students.

[Ashley Colvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical advice