The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People

by Carol Eikleberry

You don't have to stifle your creative impulses to pay the bills. For anyone who's ever been told, "Don't quit your day job," career counselor Carol Eikleberry is here to say, "Pursue your dreams!" Now in its third edition, her inspiring guide provides knowledgeable career guidance, real-life success stories, and eye-opening self-evaluation tools to help artistic individuals figure out how to remain different, unconventional, and hard-to-categorize while finding work they love.

 The revised third edition of the popular guide for offbeat individuals seeking work that suits their unique skills, talents, and passions. Updated throughout, including new inspiration and tips for keeping a creative job notebook. Descriptions of more than 270 creative jobs, from the mainstream (architect, Web designer) to the unexpected (crossword-puzzle maker, police sketch artist). Previous editions have sold more than 60,000 copies.Reviews“What a great manual for young rebels and older freethinkers who are plotting their next career move.”—Boston Globe

 


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Business, Reference, Art, Psychology, Personal Development

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1995

Reviews

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is your present paradigm of work? Is there any chance you see it as a duty in life, or as it ‘should’ be, rather than as all it can be? Don’t settle for so little! This is a book which can shift your thinking, and broaden your horizons significantly, revealing the gift of your own creativity within a personal reinvention.

This is the 3rd edition released since Carol Eickleberry initially published her career guide in 2007, and her website has been designed as a more detailed reference companion of exercises and Career Notebook resources. She clearly intends to have this book be her personal signature, and it’s a needed one today, as so many people are questioning conventional career choices and looking for viable alternatives. There’s no better time to discard those ‘shoulds’ others have weighed you down with in favor of exploring your innate artistic creativity, and this book can help. The good news? “Employers have more reason than ever to value your creativity.”

As her book’s title clearly states, Eikleberry wrote her career guide for “creative and unconventional people,” defining her audience of creatives via the John Holland theory:

“According to Holland’s theory, derived from the psychologist’s life’s work, there are six basic personality types in the world of work, and six corresponding work environments. You are advised to go into a work environment that most closely fits your personality.” Those who are “creative and unconventional” are just one of the six, that which Holland calls “the Artistic Type” and who are people who “prefer unstructured work environments in which there is opportunity for self-expression.”

We first think of painters, sculptors, photographers, crafters and others attracted to jobs in the fine arts as being in this personality type, but Eikleberry is more encouraging, and she is effective in expanding the definition to other applied fields. I would encourage an even greater readership, and will not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone wondering about possible vocations, or making a fresh shift toward more expansive or self-attuned work. There will be few readers who don’t question themselves as to the true degree of their own creativity — I certainly did! And I believe it’s healthy pushing ourselves to want more.

The book offers pragmatic advice on how you can better choose among your options once you have decided on the self-affirming change required. Eikleberry is straightforward and realistic with the help she offers, and in chapter 5, intended to trigger the start of the reader’s personal action plan, she does a great job in outlining the difference between “using your head” and “asking for help.”

Eikleberry’s thorough generosity in revealing more options than you’d think of on your own is probably the greatest service her book provides. The 74 pages which end her book are devoted to a Career Reference Section wherein a short paragraph describes each of 270 occupations for creative and unconventional people to broaden their choices with. As she explains, “There is a great range along the Artistic spectrum, from the person with great talent to those people who appreciate the arts but don’t believe they have any talent at all.”

I’ve read a lot of non-fiction books, and was very impressed with Eikleberry’s organization of the book as a whole, and with how much she has packed into this guide. She starts with a model for problem-solving (also used in the overall design of the book itself), solving the ‘problem’ of creative people not fitting into the average work environment. Within her options for us, she includes “eight different ways to employ your creativity, then four different paths for employment, then just two different roles [as generalist or specialist]” so we remain focused and not overwhelmed. She covers the differences between having a job, an occupation, a career, and a vocation, but only after helping us arrive at more clarity and confidence with our skills and abilities, and helping us identify our work-related values.

Be forewarned however, that The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People may still frustrate anyone hoping for a quick fix. Eikleberry’s book is not the packaging of easy answers within a step-by-step program; it’s a guide for a suggested personal quest. To reap its benefits, be prepared to do the work she outlines, with patience and perseverance your constant companions on the journey. She states it very clearly: “No one will offer you the unique career you can create for yourself, but that’s okay, because you can learn how to make it happen on your own.” What Eikleberry offers, is her substantial learning and vocational counseling experience so you can trust in the process, and take the adventure, thrilling to your own learning along the way.

As Émile Zola said so well, “The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without the work.”

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

glad i'm not too depressed to think about career stuff anymore

[Lisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does a good job of helping you see that you are not alone in your unhappiness with your work and also helps you focus on areas that might be better suited to you by the Holland method, which groups you into different catergories (for instance I am an ASI - artistic, social, investigative type) and then lists hundreds of jobs with their Holland types as well. It's a good jumping of point to help guide you along your way as you search for a career feild that will best suit you.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting review of what is "art creative" and what is "art appreciative". I have meet alot of the latter and have never been able to put my finger on the difference and thanks to this book I now can. To me that was the most valuable part of the book. I thought the salaries wildly out of sync for my general area, I guess they are national norms; some were very old circa 2004 and others 2009. Overall, I liked the book and enjoyed it. It's fast reading as virtually half of it are the "jobs".

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't particularly useful in narrowing down career options; creative jobs have expanded and updated a lot since this edition was published too! However it's very good on the psychological aspects of creative types, and at times can be very relatable. If nothing else, this book provides reassurance that perhaps the reason for not being able to decide upon meaningful employment (or be happy in current employment) has less to do with being an awkward so-and-so, and more to do with the way the brain is wired.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

All I've discovered so far is that I'm not really that unconventional. Creative, yes, but mostly conventional with some unconventional moments!!
Had some good ideas about how to incorporate your creative side with a regular job and gave many job descriptions that I wouldn't have thought of.
Food for thought.

[Elizabeth Lund · Rating 2 out of 5]

Certainly not bad, but not what I was looking for. I guess I was looking not so much for "creative things that some people make into careers" as "jobs I might find listings for that could be a good fit for a creative person." I already know what my passions are; what I need is help in finding "day jobs" that might be a good fit for my personality while I pursue my passions on the side.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hands down, the very best book for people whose Holland score begins with an A. I've read a lot of career-hunting tomes and this one was the first that made me feel like a normal, fully functioning human being. It's one I'd like to own because I keep wanting to refer back to it.

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably more validating than enlightening for the reader who fits the type, but still worth the quick read

[Scott Harrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive overview of different personality types, assembled in a systematic way with the goal of helping readers choose a career path. The author also reassures prospects that they are not abnormal, they merely have different needs and perspectives - all well and good.
Unfortunately, the book brings a formality and rigidity to the process that, for me, defeats the purpose of helping "creative and unconventional" types by casting them into conventional frameworks. There's a lot of data, but not a lot of truly helpful or original advice.
The reference section with 281 occupations is horribly dated, which is understandable 10+ years after this edition was released, but many of the occupations listed are comically unrealistic, like crossword puzzle maker, dictionary editor and other very limited, niche positions. The salaries, of course, are way out of date, but my biggest gripe is that the book completely glosses over the entire arena of sales, which has tremendous potential and possibilities for creative types. Also, don't look for much on coaching, fitness, nutrition, gaming, app design, video, etc. - you'll need a newer book. Too dated.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cater for state reader, and unconventional people who are may dealing with frustration in mid life with talent untapped due to whatever reason. I find it good read, i am among those People who is unsure if they just want to escape from cubicle life, or their have unfound destiny to be hero of their adventures. Half of the book is coaching cum caunselling, the other half is detail list of creative job with brief on job scope n salary. Trust the progress, start something

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This helped reaffirm what it's like to be unconventional in a corporate setting and the need for work that aligns with my core values. The jobs themselves may be slightly outmoded but the advice is solid!

[Ania Gaska · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very helpful in untangling the mess of trying to figure out how to make the best of what you've got!

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this middle-aged reviewer has been online since his early teens, in some ways using a physical book as a career guide seems, in 2015, to be a little quaint. Despite being an avid platform-neutral reader, does a book like this need to be printed out? It is, after all, a practical career guide for creatively inclined job seekers of all ages.

Yet it seems that even the new-found convention may be unconventional! The younger people may call it “retro” and thus it can be super-plus-cool. For us older folks, there is always a Kindle edition (mind you, at the time of writing this review, this book is available for pre-order at Amazon.com for just under half-price if you buy the paperback book… the Kindle version is over twice as expensive, so whose the dummy here?)

Anyway, what about this book, in what ever format you read it in? It is in its fourth revision, so the authors must be doing something right, and it is aimed squarely at the “creative and unconventional” set. This reviewer feels centred in its crosshairs. It is a simple book, split into three parts – the career problem, possible solutions and making it happen – followed by a list of 281 different occupations for creative and unconventional people and that was an interesting eye-opener in its own right.

The advice seems fairly reasonable. Evolutionary rather than revolutionary but still, quite practical, actionable and sensible. Dreams are good - manageable dreams that is - and the book does tend to help keep you focussed on the reality whilst not spoiling some dreams that could be possible realities. Possibly it helps if you feel, as a reader, that you can form a direct connection to the book. Somehow it just makes the advice feel even more credible and focussed. To this reviewer the connection felt a little wishy-washy, yet there were quite a few things of interest nonetheless and even for an evening’s consultation, especially at its low price, it is hardly going to break the bank.

The book does eclipse many other career-focussing guides and it may help to have a more directed book for the “unconventional” amongst us. It could even be a secretly appreciated item for the more strait laced: you can tell anyone who catches you reading it that you are checking it out for the list of “odd and weird jobs”. The fact that you are reading it intently cover to cover can be your little secret. Remember, some people allegedly bought Playboy magazine for the articles and their eyes never once strayed to the pictures at the side…

Autamme.com

[Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Seemed dated even though updated in 2006. I feel this guide is better suited for a person unsure whether they are "unconventional" and "creative", than for pretty well established unconventionals. Maybe for career shifters, than for people starting out in the work world. A lot of psychology fills the front of the book. Either way, I feel it lacks an author who is unconventional and therefor can sympathize. There are suggestions about becominga circus ringleader- a job I believe one must have a whole-hearted passion and some seriosu forhand-knowledge to get into. It also suggested putting creativity to the side as a hobby- which is advice I am sure no one buys a book like this for. It may have focused me on my path o be my own man in creating my own oppurtunities and business ventures, but offered no insight on how to get going.

[Madison Kourajian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a very different read to what I'm used too. It was my first in the self-help genre, I'm usually a fiction fiend. In the middle of a quarter-life career crisis I picked it up from a local bookshop (the fourth edition) and this was my first connection with my creative subconscious. Reading this book, I related much to how Carol described the creative mind's struggles in life to pursue their entrepreneurial goals. Amid reading the last three chapters I actually did begin to chase after my goals and this book was an inspiration to do just that. I gave this book four stars because some of the parts are repetitive as Carol quotes the same sources to use as if you've already forgotten them in the past 4 pages, also some parts were more sluggish than others.
Overall, in my opinion the gems of this book were chapters 2 and 5, as they gave me the most insight and inspiration.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if this book really works or not because by the time I finished it (skimming), I'd already overcome the freak-out session that propelled me to buy the book in the first place. It was good enough for what I needed, I suppose, giving me a quiz or two, a wise word or two, and wide variety of careers to look at (and websites to go to for further career information). Not amazing, life-changing stuff, but a nice little book to calm you down and give you some options.

Find more book reviews at A Quick Red Fox.

[Paul Sidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book accomplishes what it sets out to- helping the creative thinkers and unconventional workers out there to find a type of work that they are properly suited for. Carol Eikleberry does a great job of helping readers decide what type of work-personality they have and how they can fit that with their actual dreams. She does this while incorporating traditional research and counseling methods into the mix, further establishing her credibility and authority on the subject. Highly recommended for anybody wanting to change careers or decide if they are on the right track.

[Bre Williamson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really felt that she might give more career advice that wasn't as popular. I felt like the advice she gave us was normal and nothing extraordinary about it. I felt she had some good points. But I also read this knowing what career choice I have in mind instead of going into the book without a clue of what I want to do with myself. Also I had taken a lifespan class that had already discussed Holland's personality theory which was a majority of the first part of the book. However, I have confirmed that the career I am going into is the right career path for my personality.

[Sam Ranabhat · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book turned out to be phenomenally unremarkable. The author had a few pieces of actual good advice here and there, but the most useful thing about this book was the 270~ odd careers with descriptions listed in the back of the book; to have various options laid out, most of which I didn't know existed, proved helpful. The beginning of the book takes a lot of time to say the same things over and over in slightly different ways, and when it's not doing that it's telling the reader how much of a Special Creative Snowflake they are. Not my favorite.

[Jenifer Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing guide, which offered me not enough helpful insight to deem this book with more than one star. It was a dull read that began by assuring whether the reader was unconventional or creative, seeming to target uncertain individual rather than an individual who acknowledge these traits within themselves. Additionally some of the careers mentioned at the end of the book seemed like unrealistic career goals, or careers that seemed difficult to make a living off of.

[Annm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book mostly to help me understand what the future might hold for my younger daughter, who is most definitely creative and unconventional. I found in this book the means to better understand her, explain some of her needs to her teachers now, and hope for the fascinating and challenging life that she will undoubtedly live.

I also found confirmation for myself that my I, too, am a creative and less conventional person and that I can explore that side of me.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me, I was a little disappointed. Its a good book and some nice points and exercises but not earth shattering and to be honest although it was good a clearly defining how different people are obviously cut out for different sectors I found it a little old fashioned. Some good exercises in it. Maybe I would get someone younger and starting out on their career feeling a little confused to read this.

[Lizpeveto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Non fiction for helping to choose a satisfying career based on your personality strengths. Lists of career paths not on the usual job descriptions. Might help when changing jobs or for younger persons entering the workplace.

[Vi · Rating 3 out of 5]

As one of those who would be considered "creative and unconventional", I found this book not very helpful to the teen audience. Lots of self-assessment questions, but not much that make limiting the process easier. the book was kind, emphasized freelance work and good health.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading it and realized I have read it before. I hate when that happens.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw a lot of myself in this book. I also took the Holland test (wish I had taken it when I was 18). It provides several ways to create a list of occupations one would like to pursue.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

just confirmed wha i already knew, that i'm a complete misfit. the cross i have to bear, ha ha!

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terrible for artistic types, especially in a crisis, since it's as much counseling session as career guide.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book helped point me in 'a' direction... which eventually did lead me to a career I love! I am letting it go now but have a fondness for it.