Life After College: The Complete Guide to Getting What You Want
Release Date: March 29, 2011
Author: Jenny Blake
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LIFE AFTER COLLEGE was just the book I needed to read right about now. I graduated from college in May and launched into a full time PR job in June. Life has been a complete whirlwind since then, and this book gave me the chance to really reflect on the different areas of my life and figure out what I want, and how to get it.

Broken into 10 different sections: life, work, money, home, organization, friends and family, dating and relationships, health, fun and relaxation and personal growth, this book tackled tough topics related to each of those different sections.

Each chapter featured tips from Jenny, stories from other professionals, advice from college graduates, a series of exercises, quotes, recommended reading and two cents from Twitter. The way the book was organized made it completely easy to read; great to read from cover to cover, but also completely simple to flip to any page and still get just as much out of the book.

One of my favorite parts of the book was “two cents from Twitter.” Jenny joined in an #u30pro chat and gathered much of the content for the Twitter section from this awesome Twitter chat for young professionals. I sometimes join in this chat, so it was great to see advice from Twitter names I recognized. I also loved that Jenny turned to Twitter because it shows that she really took the time to do the research and figure out how real college grads feel about these key topics.

I also appreciated that Jenny outlined several other resources and recommended reading at the end of each chapter. Jenny herself admits in the beginning of the book that she scratches the surface of each of the topics she covers, but that there is a wealth of information out there for those who wish to learn more. I loved that through Jenny’s book, I got an overview on these topics and then was provided with titles of books in case I wanted to learn more.

Readers will really enjoy the exercises Jenny offers in each chapter. The book is filled with questions and space to respond and make lists and brainstorm. Jenny asks poignant questions that will get you thinking about what you value, what your goals are, and where you see yourself heading.

Something else I really loved about this book was hearing Jenny’s stories and tips. Jenny shares several stories that show her during times of doubt and fear. She doesn’t position herself as an expert who has never experienced anything she writes about. I love that she not only provided readers with awesome tips, she also opened herself up to vulnerability and shared her personal stories that show how she got from where she was to where she is now. I especially enjoyed the chapter about health and Jenny’s story about conquering a triathlon.

My absolute favorite chapter was the one on organization. A bit of an organization freak myself, I loved reading Jenny’s tips on how to stay organized. The part of this chapter that made me smile is when Jenny talks about a “keepers” file. Jenny describes a keepers file as a “file filled with e-mails, tweets, or notes about you that make you smile from ear to ear.” How awesome is that idea? Anytime you’re feeling down, a quick read through the keeper file should do the trick.

Jenny Blake’s LIFE AFTER COLLEGE is the perfect gift for any college grad.  This book reassured me that the anxiety and worries I feel every now and then about growing up and entering the real world are normal. LIFE AFTER COLLEGE is filled with practical and usable information that all young professionals can put to use NOW. Loved it!

5/5

Review copy provided by author and publisher.