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Career Rookie: A Get-It-Together Guide for Grads, Students and Career Newbies
A shot of encouragement, a kick in the ass, and a loving push for young people who have no idea what they want or how to get it Career Rookie is a book for every grad, student, and 20-something who feels lost, overwhelmed, and anxious. It tackles the emotional and logistical WTF-ness of starting your career, answering questions like, What if I don’t have any experience? What if I went to school for something I hated? What if I have NO IDEA what I actually want? Should I just suck it up and settle? Because, honestly, this career thing is starting to give me an ulcer. This fresh, fun guide gives even the most lost and overwhelmed a way forward. It explores passion, curiosity, uncertainty, self-sabotage, and more on the quest to shake off post-graduation paralysis. Finding the right career can seem impossible, but Sarah Vermunt is the fun-loving, straight-talking coach we all need to make feel-good work a reality.
248 pages, Paperback
Published April 2, 2019
10 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Vermunt
3 books19 followersA former business professor, Sarah Vermunt is the founder of Careergasm, where she helps people figure out what the heck they want so they can quit jobs they hate and do work they love. She writes about careers for Forbes, Fortune, Inc., and Entrepreneur. She lives in Toronto, Ontario, and online at Careergasm.com.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 4, 2020
most positive thing i got out of this is that literally no one knows what they're doing, but there's other good stuff too
March 16, 2019
*Thanks to ECW for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Sarah Vermunt's approach to work life in her first book, Careergasm: Find Your Way to Feel-Good Work, and Career Rookie is no different. The same ideas to finding work you can be satisfied with are distilled in this funny, approachable guide for young grads. This book would make a great graduation gift for a young adult in any field. Perfect for people who are just getting into their first or second "big-girl/boy" career.
What I like most about Sarah's approach is that, unlike so much advice that students get bombarded with, it's not prescriptive. She puts emphasis on self-directed career learning without making it overwhelming or unattainable. At the same time, she doesn't sugarcoat the importance of getting your act together. Rather, she encourages career newbies to stop, check-in with themselves and make rational decisions based on what they discover about their own career desires. The book is both practical and aspirational, infused with a good dose of hilarious trendy language to make it fun.
Not going to lie, my 22-year-old self probably needed this book and didn't even know it.
Not of warning, though. If you've already read Careergasm, this book is not for you. All the ideas and strategies are essentially the same but pared down for people earlier in their careers.
I loved Sarah Vermunt's approach to work life in her first book, Careergasm: Find Your Way to Feel-Good Work, and Career Rookie is no different. The same ideas to finding work you can be satisfied with are distilled in this funny, approachable guide for young grads. This book would make a great graduation gift for a young adult in any field. Perfect for people who are just getting into their first or second "big-girl/boy" career.
What I like most about Sarah's approach is that, unlike so much advice that students get bombarded with, it's not prescriptive. She puts emphasis on self-directed career learning without making it overwhelming or unattainable. At the same time, she doesn't sugarcoat the importance of getting your act together. Rather, she encourages career newbies to stop, check-in with themselves and make rational decisions based on what they discover about their own career desires. The book is both practical and aspirational, infused with a good dose of hilarious trendy language to make it fun.
Not going to lie, my 22-year-old self probably needed this book and didn't even know it.
Not of warning, though. If you've already read Careergasm, this book is not for you. All the ideas and strategies are essentially the same but pared down for people earlier in their careers.
January 22, 2019
Career Rookie or Your dream job can't swipe right or meet you at the bar - is a quick read and a refreshing help on how to best approach your decision making and the thinking that goes around that field. The book is light and quirky, tailored to young people. Which doesn't make it exclusive to youngsters - I am a seasoned professional, who found lots of useful bits of information and exercises, while flying through the book.
Sarah Vermunt takes the reader by the hand and starts slowly, by adressing the biggest questions everyone has to face before starting a career of any kind.
WTF is wrong with me? Shouldn't I have this figured out by now?
Chapter by chapter we go through reasons that keep us from jump starting an amazing career. Be it wrong or misguided expectations, parental guidance or failure anxiety.
The book helps to ask the right questions in order to narrow down to a field or even a specific job one desires; how to get the information on the job you need and talks about failure, rejection and real struggle - not hiding the ugliness behind professional careers and the search for the job.
There's a good chance that what you want wasn't a part of the Original Plan. The Original Plan was to know exactly what you wanted, with unwavering clarity [...], then go to school for that thing, graduate with a slew of super badass job offers from people dying to hire you for that thing, pick the best one, and then spend the rest of your life living happily ever after doing that thing. THE END. Yeah. How often do you think that works out for people? Never, dude. Like, zero.
I recommend Career Rookie to everyone! Really. It's an inspiring get-it-together-guide. Make sure to visit careergasm.com for more ideas and strategic help with your quest for the one perfect dream job.
(The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication. I would like to thank the publisher, ECW Press, for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
Sarah Vermunt takes the reader by the hand and starts slowly, by adressing the biggest questions everyone has to face before starting a career of any kind.
WTF is wrong with me? Shouldn't I have this figured out by now?
Chapter by chapter we go through reasons that keep us from jump starting an amazing career. Be it wrong or misguided expectations, parental guidance or failure anxiety.
The book helps to ask the right questions in order to narrow down to a field or even a specific job one desires; how to get the information on the job you need and talks about failure, rejection and real struggle - not hiding the ugliness behind professional careers and the search for the job.
There's a good chance that what you want wasn't a part of the Original Plan. The Original Plan was to know exactly what you wanted, with unwavering clarity [...], then go to school for that thing, graduate with a slew of super badass job offers from people dying to hire you for that thing, pick the best one, and then spend the rest of your life living happily ever after doing that thing. THE END. Yeah. How often do you think that works out for people? Never, dude. Like, zero.
I recommend Career Rookie to everyone! Really. It's an inspiring get-it-together-guide. Make sure to visit careergasm.com for more ideas and strategic help with your quest for the one perfect dream job.
(The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication. I would like to thank the publisher, ECW Press, for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
September 27, 2019
A lot of great advice in this book! I thought there would be more take away from this, as I am just starting out my career, but I am a few years out of college, and had to skip many chapters that I personally have already weathered. It's more of a get-it-together guide for grads, than career newbies. Informative nonetheless
February 10, 2022
Enjoyable and straight to the point but I wouldn’t say there’s anything groundbreaking or never said before. It’s definitely a book to help readers get off their sulking butts and make the moves to where they want to be or a kick start to figuring out what they want for their career.
*Gifted by ECW Press*
*Gifted by ECW Press*
March 26, 2019
In Sarah Vermunt’s book Career Rookie: A Get-it Together Guide for Grads, Students and Career Newbies, readers find tips and resources to help them navigate the world of careers and find one that makes them sing. Sarah Vermunt’s compelling voice is quirky and conveys wisdom like it’s coming from a loving big sister. Readers should pick this book up if they are feeling like they are the one being worked. Young millennials and members of Generation Z will find a nice home in this book with several cultural references and a hip writing style that is both conversational and comforting. The book provides important advice related to job searching, requesting informational interviews, dressing for the interview, budgeting and researching career options.
Vermunt complicates the ways in which children are tracked into careers based on status and what we think will earn the most money. This career tracking closes the door on career options that will make our hearts sing. She encourages readers to imagine a future where we can combine our skills and interests and use a bit of ingenuity to pay the bills. She coins the term “parallel tracks” where someone can keep their day job to pay their bills and student loans while simultaneously pursuing their art or other career options.
By using an engaging and exciting voice, she reassures us that no one else knows what they are doing when it comes to adulting. Vermunt encourages readers to reflect on their past work experiences to determine when things worked and felt good and when something “would feel like a two-year drive through Jurassic Park in a hamster ball (page 125).” I encourage readers to take their time with this book and devote energy answering the questions Sarah poses. I assure you, you will reap the benefits for the time spent reflecting on these questions and identifying the path that truly speaks to you.
Her tips and resources may also be helpful for people mid-careers or even for folks who are exploring a career change late in life. The voice though will be most relatable for a Generation Z or Millennial audience. Sarah Vermunt provides many examples from her consulting practice into the book for readers to see how people used her tips in real life and found a career path that worked for them.
As someone who has often wondered if I’m on the right path in my career, I realize how it’s okay to cultivate a parallel track and build my writing business while working another career. One day it will also make sense for me to take the plunge after what I love, knowing it will be okay if I have to doggy-paddle for a while; Career Rookie reminds me that I’m not the only one swimming along.
For other reviews by me, check out my website at kendratillberry.com.
(Thanks to ECW for sending me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.)
Vermunt complicates the ways in which children are tracked into careers based on status and what we think will earn the most money. This career tracking closes the door on career options that will make our hearts sing. She encourages readers to imagine a future where we can combine our skills and interests and use a bit of ingenuity to pay the bills. She coins the term “parallel tracks” where someone can keep their day job to pay their bills and student loans while simultaneously pursuing their art or other career options.
By using an engaging and exciting voice, she reassures us that no one else knows what they are doing when it comes to adulting. Vermunt encourages readers to reflect on their past work experiences to determine when things worked and felt good and when something “would feel like a two-year drive through Jurassic Park in a hamster ball (page 125).” I encourage readers to take their time with this book and devote energy answering the questions Sarah poses. I assure you, you will reap the benefits for the time spent reflecting on these questions and identifying the path that truly speaks to you.
Her tips and resources may also be helpful for people mid-careers or even for folks who are exploring a career change late in life. The voice though will be most relatable for a Generation Z or Millennial audience. Sarah Vermunt provides many examples from her consulting practice into the book for readers to see how people used her tips in real life and found a career path that worked for them.
As someone who has often wondered if I’m on the right path in my career, I realize how it’s okay to cultivate a parallel track and build my writing business while working another career. One day it will also make sense for me to take the plunge after what I love, knowing it will be okay if I have to doggy-paddle for a while; Career Rookie reminds me that I’m not the only one swimming along.
For other reviews by me, check out my website at kendratillberry.com.
(Thanks to ECW for sending me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.)
December 26, 2023
This book is hilarious. The author has a major potty mouth, but she uses it to her advantage. No one can deny that she'd be a super fun person to hang with. She's down to earth, very sympathetic (she's been there), but doesn't let anyone off the hook for being the responsible party when it comes to their own lives. I love how she acknowledges the stress of adulting. The struggle is real. She helps ease the anxiety young people feel about getting their career off the ground by being quick to point out that millions of other people are riding in the same boat.
The gist of her message is that whether you don't know where to start or you're not happy with your career decisions, admit your problem, accept it, calm down, stop stressing, get organized, start testing the waters, talk to people, expect to make mistakes and more mistakes, get on your own path, find a mentor. It sounds more vague than it is. There's lots of practical advice. Such as, take the sucky job if it will pay for the side hustle which you love. Lots of great stuff about resumes and interviews as well.
The book isn't a magic bullet. Young people who have absolutely no clue are probably still going to want to jump off a cliff rather than face the challenge of work. Vermunt would probably say something like: Take a breath. Baby steps. Write down 10 potential jobs. Apply for jobs that have some sort of connection with the list. Choose one. Test it out. Hate it? Get over it. Move on. It's not as stressful as we make it. There are literally hundreds of paths. Mistakes will be made but it's not the end of the world.
Honest, down to earth look at the job hunt. Geared toward people in their 20s and 30s, but useful for anyone. Career Rookie is like your best friend in a crisis who's always there. The only catch. It must be read, internalized and acted on. Or it won't be of value.
The gist of her message is that whether you don't know where to start or you're not happy with your career decisions, admit your problem, accept it, calm down, stop stressing, get organized, start testing the waters, talk to people, expect to make mistakes and more mistakes, get on your own path, find a mentor. It sounds more vague than it is. There's lots of practical advice. Such as, take the sucky job if it will pay for the side hustle which you love. Lots of great stuff about resumes and interviews as well.
The book isn't a magic bullet. Young people who have absolutely no clue are probably still going to want to jump off a cliff rather than face the challenge of work. Vermunt would probably say something like: Take a breath. Baby steps. Write down 10 potential jobs. Apply for jobs that have some sort of connection with the list. Choose one. Test it out. Hate it? Get over it. Move on. It's not as stressful as we make it. There are literally hundreds of paths. Mistakes will be made but it's not the end of the world.
Honest, down to earth look at the job hunt. Geared toward people in their 20s and 30s, but useful for anyone. Career Rookie is like your best friend in a crisis who's always there. The only catch. It must be read, internalized and acted on. Or it won't be of value.
April 12, 2021
I’m not a grad student, or career newbie and yet… I couldn’t put down this book. Why? The tone. The incredible tone! Sarah is sharp, funny, and hilariously in your face. A great gift to the wandering, aimless youth in your life. For those who have sucked at their first, second and third jobs, this is the book they need. It’s a smacking slap, bright flashlight to the eyeballs, and cozy sweater hug all wrapped in one. Preach on, Sarah!
February 17, 2024
As a middle aged woman who hasn’t been employed for 20 years, I found this book extremely helpful and an excellent springboard for embarking on a new career path. It was easy to read, and I wish I’d had access to it back in high school. I took copious notes and have begun to formulate some possible pathways into the workforce. My only umbrage was the frequent coarse/crude language…which I suspect the author utilized to give the book a more relaxed feel, but I found that aspect really cringey.
April 14, 2024
Personally, this book was a breath of fresh air for me. As someone who is very much at the beginning of their career journey, fresh out of college school, this book helped to alleviate the fears and overthinking turning around in my brain. Even if this book isn't it for you, Sarah says it's good to remember that you'll have a lot of teachers during your life. The learning never stops. I hope someone takes something from this book just like I have. :)
April 22, 2020
Read this as part of brainstorming how to better support my student staff. This guide is full of helpful reminders about flexibility and reassurance that it's ok to not always know what you want or what you're doing while job-searching. 4 stars rather than 5 because it would have benefitted from some checklist templates, etc.
December 9, 2025
Mileage really varies but how many workshops you’ve gone to in college. I found myself skipping a good amount of content bc it wasn’t really relevant to me or I learned about it in college. Had some good advice and nice little exercises to think about my biggest gripe was just the amount of examples used to get one point across. Feels overly fluffed out.
August 19, 2019
You don't need swear words, words dragged out for emphasissssssss, and slang terms to reach young audiences. They will respect you treating them like an adult, and you won’t ruin your credibility.
January 24, 2020
Very inspirational and motivating!
May 29, 2020
It is for sure an eye opener for how to improve your career
June 14, 2020
Very good book, easy to read, funny and informative!
July 30, 2020
I find this to be extremely helpful. Anyone who is lost in their career journey, or even life, should pick this up!
April 2, 2024
Easy read because all the advice is relatable and helpful. Engaging with funny tones throughout the book.
January 4, 2026
A nice reiterating reality check
January 13, 2025
randomly shames sex workers multiple times
March 11, 2019
Just left school and have no idea what to do with your life? Graduated from collage and realised you don't want to do what you studied a few years for? Grab yourself a copy of Career Rookie. Vermont is a career coach who helps millennial figure out where their passion and talents meet, so they can do work they love, be happy and make money. The book features a lot of tips and techniques to steer you in the direction of your dream job. But worry not, this isn't a boring book. Vermont talks like a millennial. Chatty and conversational, you'll fee like you're getting advice from a friend. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews