Unserious Careers
A Fun Guide to the First Five Years of Your Career
Alana Kilmartin
Alana Kilmartin’s Unserious Careers flips the script on traditional career advice for recent school graduates and early-career professionals, presenting the first few years after school as a time for exploration and personal growth rather than rigid career planning. Drawing on her own unconventional career journey, Kilmartin offers a refreshing perspective that encourages young adults to approach work life with curiosity and flexibility. Her concept of "Casual Jog Years" invites readers to view this phase as a low-pressure opportunity to experiment with different paths, while identifying and leveraging their unique "Career Superpowers."
With a lighthearted tone and practical strategies, Kilmartin provides actionable advice for building a career that balances success with enjoyment. She introduces ideas like the "Sunny Day" fund, which allows for financial flexibility during career exploration, and offers relatable insights into navigating the often overwhelming transition from school to the workplace. Grounded in her global experiences, Kilmartin's message is empowering and encouraging, particularly for readers who feel unsure about their next steps or daunted by societal expectations.
What sets Unserious Careers apart is its ability to make career development approachable and even fun. Kilmartin’s conversational style and emphasis on intentional, incremental steps resonate with young adults navigating a rapidly changing work environment. This book is an invaluable guide for those seeking to craft a career that prioritises personal fulfilment alongside professional achievement, redefining early career years as a time for discovery and growth.
