The first job is often the hardest to land.
In this book, 62 people share their stories — winding paths, rough waters, and the unexpected turns that shaped their search for that very first role.
What began as a graduate school passion project became reality in Summer 2022, when Cambridge University Press offered an unexpected (but thrilling) book contract. Today, we’re excited to share it with the world.
This anthology brings together two things rarely found in one place: authentic, first-hand accounts of early career journeys, coupled with a cutting-edge review of research in vocational psychology and career counseling.
The result is both a resource and a handbook — practical enough for young people starting out, yet grounded in the science of how careers unfold.
We hope you’ll find this book as valuable as we did while gathering and reflecting on these stories. Like our contributors, we’re still navigating our own careers, and this collection has already been a guide and a source of encouragement for us.
Use the code FRFJC25 at checkout on Cambridge’s site for a 20% discount. All proceeds go towards supporting future student research in careers.