The One-Week Job Project: One Man, One Year, 52 Jobs [Paperback]

 

 

Create your own review

This book is a lot of fun to read and has a great message for young people trying to figure out what to do with their lives. This book could revolutionize the way young people approach their own career development.

Sean Aiken graduated from college with a degree in Business Administration and was class valedictorian. A year and half later Sean is still trying to figure out what to do with his life.

"Whether we're coming out of school and entering the work world, thinking about a career change after twenty years in the same position, or victim of a layoff due to the changing economy, most of us will look deep inside ourselves for an answer to the question 'What should I do with my life?' Ultimately I think we all want to be happy. But what that really means and how to get there remains uncertain."

Well to try and get there, Sean decided to try different jobs - 52 of them to be exact - a new one every week. The jobs were eclectic and varied. Pizza maker, fashion buyer, dairy farmer, Hollywood producer and 48 more! Sean started locally in British Columbia, but as word spread via his blog, radio and television interviews, the project snowballed and reached into the US as well. Eventually his best friend Ian joined the project, video documenting the project.

Sean comes across in his writing and in photos included in the book as incredibly likable. His personality is a major part of the success of this project. But his honesty impressed me as well. With each new job he tries, he discovers something new about his likes or dislikes and about people in general and most importantly - himself.

As the project gathers steam, "Something didn't feel right. My spiel had become routine. "Somewhere in the midst of all the noise, I'd gotten away from my original intentions. I started to base the success of the project on the media coverage it received."

"For years I'd based my decisions on what others people thought. Society had painted an image of success in my mind that I tirelessly tried to emulate." This sentiment is repeated by many of the participants - especially those a bit older. "I wish I would have acted without the fear of what others thought."

I found the following observation to be quite telling. " I noticed that the people who were the most passionate about their jobs felt they were contributing to something greater that themselves. The genuinely believed in what they were doing and understood the significance of their job in the bigger picture. It matters that they show up to work each day, because they give something valuable, whether to the company, the community, or the world."

Many of the participants spoke of finding your passion to be happy. By the end, Sean does discover his passion - "to explore, to try new things, travel, meet interesting people, learn about myself and then share these lessons with others."

I really enjoyed this book on many levels. I found the jobs interesting and truly enjoyed Sean's adventure and journey. But I also think it makes you question what you're doing. What can I do to be happier or to make a difference? Can you combine what you love with the necessity of making a living and supporting a family?

The One-Week Job Project was an entertaining, thought provoking read.

What do I want to do with my life? Who hasn't asked themselves that question when searching for the perfect career? The One-Week Job Project is a window into the journey of a young man's unusual experience working 52 jobs in one year'so he could find the answer to that very question.

Sean Aiken accepted one-week job offers from employers who were willing to show him their trade (and donate his pay to charity) so Sean could see first-hand what a career in that particular field offered. When he first came up with this idea, it was to help him discover what he wanted to do with his life. He discovered a whole lot more and shares it with us through this adventurous book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I liked Sean Aiken's honest voice and learning all kinds of neat tidbits about specific jobs.

For every job Sean took for one week, he stated the location, job description, industry IQ, and what he learned. This is followed by an anecdote of his experience working there. The book isn't filled with statistical work facts, though. From the first few chapters, we immediately get the picture of an intelligent man with a positive outlook, an open mind and a readiness to learn about the working industry and himself. Never long-winded or boring, always entertaining, his personal stories are amusing, inspirational and filled with candour. I felt like I was in a room with Sean as he recounted what he lived during his memorable year hopping from job to job and making new friendships along the way.

On days when Sean questioned the value of his project, it was his belief, his hope that there was something more - ''that he could succeed in finding work he was passionate about - ''that kept him going. I admire his tenacity to bring his project to an end, to remain humble in the face of big media exposure, and to sincerely portray his struggles with his personal relationships.

Best of all, it's a clean read that I could easily recommend to young people as well as anyone who is searching to find something to do that they are truly passionate about. Looking for the perfect career? Need a career change? Given up finding your passion in life? This book will inspire you. What did Sean discover at the end of his journey? It's interspersed throughout his book and is well summed up at the conclusion. Well done, Sean!

To learn more about this project and to watch the book trailer (it's worth it!), visit Sean's Web site: [...]

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 4 customer reviews...

 

2.0 out of 5 stars Sean Aiken; An Auto-Biography
I felt this book came off too much as being about Sean Aiken, the author, rather than the job search. Read more

Published 12 months ago by Jason Barrett

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 4 customer reviews...

Search Listmania!