No You Can’t be an Astronaut | Why you shouldn’t follow your dreams and what to do instead
Follow your dreams, and you'll never work a day in your life. Because that field's not hiring.
From the rise of remote work and the gig economy, to the devaluing of higher education, this book takes an unflinching look at the new landscape of work in the post-pandemic world. Drawing on peer-reviewed research and real-world examples, the 4th edition of No, You Can’t be an Astronaut is a must-read for anyone looking to launch a new career or stay ahead in a rapidly evolving job market.
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Chapter 1 Resources: Houston, We Have a Problem
Unemployment and underemployment by major (New York Fed)
Rates of high school and college completion in the United States (NCES)
Odds of success (you are more likely to die in the tub than make it in Hollywood)
Chapter 2 Resources: Now what?
To find your RIASEC type, access The O*Net Interest Profiler, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, at mynextmove.org/explore/ip
Once you have your RIASEC interest profile, you can browse careers compatible with your interests at onetonline.org/find/descriptor/http://onetonline.org/find/descriptor/browse/1.B.1.browse/1.B.1
Browse careers based on your RIASEC preferences
The California Skills Profiler tool (requires login)
Personality-Based Emotional Intelligence Test
Self-report measures of emotional intelligence: eiconsortium.org/measures/measures.html and ihhp.com/free-eq-quiz
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® is the intellectual property of the Myers & Briggs Foundation and is available online for a fee
Six-factor HEXACO test
Chapter 3 Resources: Is College for You?
Chapter 4 Resources: Alternatives to College
Chapter 5 Resources: So You’re Going to College
The FAFSA, the financial aid form every college student in the U.S. has to fill out every year.
Understanding types of student aid
Western Undergraduate Exchange: Reduced tuition within western United States
Colleges and universities that don’t require the SAT or ACT (standardized entrance exams)
Getting fees waived for the SAT
Getting fees waived for the ACT
The Common App: Apply to over 900 colleges and universities with a single application.
The Coalition for College: Apply to 130 member schools.
The Universal College App: Apply to 4 member schools.
Chapter 6: You’re in College, Don’t Mess it Up
Chapter 7 Resources: Look for a Job
Chapter 8 Resources: Land a Job
General job search sites:
Specialized Sites
Accounting and finance: mycareer.aicpa-cima.com/
Healthcare: healthcarejobsite.com, healthcareadministrationjobs.net
Higher education: higheredjobs.com, insidehighered.com, chronicle.com.
Programming and tech: Dice.com, TechCareers.com, Stackoverflow.com Crunchboard.com.
Keep track of your job search with JibberJobber
Job search spreadsheet from Microsoft
Job search spreadsheet from The Muse