Coauthored by a former student and her professor, this book provides useful career strategies and advice to current college students. Terhune and Hays have created a very readable work providing straightforward advice; useful anecdotes modeling successful behaviors; helpful tips throughout each section; and a cheat sheet to summarize key points. They discuss the importance of students' cultivating behaviors such as strong communication skills, politeness, honesty, time management, prioritization, integrity, professionalism, goal setting, clarity, and organizational skills. Separate chapters are devoted to networking and using social media. Stories of individuals throughout the chapters illustrate the behaviors and skills discussed. From succeeding in the classroom and obtaining valuable internships to eventually landing a job and developing a career, Terhune and Hays provide excellent, easily digestible advice for the many stages a college undergraduate will go through. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels of undergraduate students as well as general readers.

Choice Reviews

Smart authors (and publishers) are recognizing the upside of a not-so-robust economy and the need of young job-seekers to get hired quickly (and, yes, to begin paying off college debt). So why not start the process in college, if not before? California State University at Fresno graduate Terhune and Hayes, her professor, team up to produce a unique take on what freshmen-to-seniors can do now, even before matriculating. Their 11 steps, from “start now” to “put it all together,” reflect a commonsense approach as well as a passion for business. Armed with tips, end-of-chapter summary “cheat sheets,” and success stories to inspire, readers will be truly prepared with the essentials, such as personal branding (which, in three to four words, will project “you” honestly and with integrity and credibility), or innovate to stand out, whether that involves starting a business, traveling, or finding new ways of doing things. Practical and achievable advice.

Booklist

From the cover blurb and the introduction, this book’s message is clear: a college degree does not guarantee a job after graduation. What makes this title stand apart from others on the same topic is Terhune, a recent college graduate, who writes from her experience and whose budding career underscores the usefulness of her advice. Hays (public relations, California State Univ., Fresno), a student mentor with years of experience, adds a professional viewpoint. Although the book includes basic advice on selecting an institution, program, and major as well as references to coursework and professors, most of the content revolves around activity a student engages in outside of the classroom (personal branding, networking, mastering the elevator pitch). The chapter on career-conscious (and reputation-conscious) use of social media should be required reading for every college student. VERDICT The authors present valuable insight and practical advice in an easy-to-follow format. This title will appeal to the go-getter heading off to college as well as those closer to graduation.

Library Journal

Every college undergraduate needs this book! There is a widespread notion among college students that if you just take the right classes, in the right order, somehow at the end of your college experience you will magically land a job. Not true! Preparing for a career requires an extensive, thoughtful plan. Tori Randolph Terhune and Betsy Hays have laid out a superb guide that any student can use to chart a course to personal and professional success. I will recommend this book to all my students with just six words: Get it, study it, live it.

Doug Swanson, California State University, Fullerton

When you are in college there are so many opportunities—in and outside the classroom—to set yourself up for success. This book is the blueprint!

Timothy M. Stearns, Coleman Foundation Chair in Entrepreneurship, Executive Director, Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Land Your Dream Career is the MUST have book for every college student who wishes to launch and establish a strong personal brand and career path. Tori Randolph Terhune and Betsy A. Hays have hit the nail on the head and provide a easy to read, well-guided book that will propel the next generation of future graduates forward in an organized, inspired manner.

Donna Wertalik, Career & Faculty Advisor, Pamplin College of Business, Marketing Department, Virginia Tech