Being a young professional, I am obsessed with reading biographies that have career advice intertwined within them. I find it so inspiring to read about people who have made strides in their industries and learning about their journey along the way. By the time I’m done reading one of these books, it always reignites a flame in me to stay focused on my career and be the best that I can be. If you’re a young professional looking for motivation, I’ve compiled a list of my top four favorite books. I promise they will not disappoint!
1. “If You Have To Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You” by Kelly Cutrone
Kelly Cutrone, a public relations guru in the fashion industry, is the reason why I wanted to get my degree in PR in the first place. I would always watch her show, Kell on Earth, when I was in high school so when I heard she came out with a book, I had to get it. I was not disappointed. This book was a clear wake up call that it’s impossible to have the perfect life when you are starting out in the “real world” and that it’s okay. Kelly mentions that while it is important to stay on top of your game, you will struggle at times. But if you can surpass those struggles and learn from them, that’s what will make you a better professional. On top of that, she gives brutally honest career advice with her most famous piece being, “If you have to cry, go outside.”
2. “Normal Gets You Nowhere” by Kelly Cutrone
This book is the sequel to her first one, however the message is completely different. While the first book was about how to start your professional career, this book is about how to stand out in that career. No one ever wants to blend in and get lost in the corporate world. However, this is a great reminder that you have to constantly keep standing out, in any career field. To do that you have to reinvent yourself and create a personal brand. Kelly makes a good point by stating that history was made by world-changing people who did not fit in. So instead of accepting the status quo, she tells you to challenge it.
3. “#GIRLBOSS” by Sophia Amoruso
Unlike the first two books, #Girlboss is more biography related but still has great career advice. Sophia Amoruso, founder of one of the largest e-commerce sites Nasty Gal, shares her journey on how she turned a small eBay store into a $100 million fashion retailer with more than 350 employees. By the time she was 28, Nasty Gal was bringing in about $23 million. That piece of information alone is inspiring, so imagine reading her whole journey. It was so great that I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one day.
4. “Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It In Your Career. Rock Social Media.” by Aliza Licht
This is my current read and I am almost finished. Aliza Licht, SVP of global communications at Donna Karen International, shares how she dropped out of medical school last minute to pursue a career in the fashion industry. Clearly it was struggle for her because all she knew was biology and science, but she figured it out and made a name for herself as the ‘DKNY PR GIRL’. She covers various topics like getting experience when you have no experience, going for promotions, being socially savvy, social media damage control and much more. I am also a huge fan of this book because she has a whole section dedicated to rocking social media. Once I finish the book, I will be sure to write a review on the blog. Stay tuned!
