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The Book That (Almost) Got Me Fired: How I (Barely) Survived a Year in Corporate America
You're 52. Divorced. Single mom to a teenaged son and a tween daughter. Happily self-employed but worried about the cost of health insurance, the inevitable impact of perimenopause on your body, and whether you should keep dating a sexy plumber who's sweet and funny but lives an hour away and doesn't seem that into you.
So, after 22 years of fulltime freelancing, you take a day job as a tiny, creaky cog in the corporate American machine where you're decades older than most of your coworkers - and you write about it. The Book That (Almost) Got Me A Year in Corporate America is an entertaining, midlife memoir that shares what (and what not) to do when you make that corporate leap.
So, after 22 years of fulltime freelancing, you take a day job as a tiny, creaky cog in the corporate American machine where you're decades older than most of your coworkers - and you write about it. The Book That (Almost) Got Me A Year in Corporate America is an entertaining, midlife memoir that shares what (and what not) to do when you make that corporate leap.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2024
3 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 28, 2024
The Perfect Read for Anyone in Transition
After over 20 years as a successful freelance writer, Kelly James needed health insurance and decided to take a 40 hour a week corporate job at Digital Edge which was a short commute from her home. THE BOOK THAT (ALMOST) GOT ME FIRED is an engaging and fun read—especially anyone considering a major life change such as James.
Throughout the book, James is transparent about her struggles and what she learned. For example, “Having a job meant that even though I was mentally cooked by 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. or even earlier, I still had to sit at my desk and work, pretend to be working, waste time, all while keeping my anxious monkeys occupied so they didn’t pop up with unhelpful thoughts about whether I was making enough money (nope) random thoughts of guilt I felt about not working every single minute (even though I rationalized it away with my productivity), or existential angst about whether this was all my life had to offer.” (page 148)
The storytelling is crisp in this book and interesting. I kept turning pages and read it cover to cover. Each chapter includes The Corporate Newbie’s Cheat Sheet with specific action steps for the reader. I enjoyed this book and I recommend it.
W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his recent 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .
After over 20 years as a successful freelance writer, Kelly James needed health insurance and decided to take a 40 hour a week corporate job at Digital Edge which was a short commute from her home. THE BOOK THAT (ALMOST) GOT ME FIRED is an engaging and fun read—especially anyone considering a major life change such as James.
Throughout the book, James is transparent about her struggles and what she learned. For example, “Having a job meant that even though I was mentally cooked by 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. or even earlier, I still had to sit at my desk and work, pretend to be working, waste time, all while keeping my anxious monkeys occupied so they didn’t pop up with unhelpful thoughts about whether I was making enough money (nope) random thoughts of guilt I felt about not working every single minute (even though I rationalized it away with my productivity), or existential angst about whether this was all my life had to offer.” (page 148)
The storytelling is crisp in this book and interesting. I kept turning pages and read it cover to cover. Each chapter includes The Corporate Newbie’s Cheat Sheet with specific action steps for the reader. I enjoyed this book and I recommend it.
W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his recent 10 Publishing Myths, Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed .
May 1, 2024
Kelly James' memoir about leaving a decades' long career as a self employed writer to enter corporate America for guaranteed pay and health insurance is a fascinating journey and one that's relatable. Whether you've taken a similar leap or were the new (and very different) kid on the block, you know that it's hard to start over. Kelly shares great advice on navigating the path and the stumbling blocks with humor and humility. Plus she peppers in spicy details of her personal life that have you wondering what she'll share next. This is a book that's easy to read and engaging at every turn.
June 13, 2024
With edgy candor, James takes us along with her into her insightful journey back to corporate life in her 50s to snag health insurance and a regular paycheck. Surrounded by headphone wearing Millennials who don't converse much and a passive aggressive boss who doesn't know how to manage his inquisitive, smart, and outgoing new employee, James makes a series of "new-to-corporate-life" classic mistakes and brings us with her as she navigates the journey. An honest, funny, and sometimes cringe-worthy look into life as a middle aged mom working for the man.
October 11, 2024
Reading this book, it's easy to see why James is in demand as a ghostwriter. Her breezy and candid writing style draws in the reader with humor and vulnerability as she recounts her experiences transitioning from her couch at home to a cubicle at a corporate job. As a fellow middle-aged freelance writer with an anxiety disorder, I found it funny and relatable. A quick, conversational read!
October 17, 2024
Local mom/author Kelly tells the story of her mid-life changes in this witty relatable memoir. At 52, she finds herself divorced with 2 teenagers and no health insurance, despite a successful career as an author. It's a treat to follow along as she tries to fit in in the corporate world and begins dating again.
December 31, 2024
Fun book about returning to workforce after a long-time freelance career as a writer. Also about being in midlife, raising teenagers, and trying to "juggle it all." Made me laugh and I could very much relate.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews