<p>Actually, many years ago someone did write a book -- it's called "What Color is your Parachute".. and it has been revised and updated many times over the years. I first ran across it when I was coming out of college, and the suggestions seemed too vague or impractical at the time - but years later when I was making a change, I was able to put those ideas into action.</p>
<p>Career counselors use interest and skills surveys to help point people in the right direction. That was why it was helpful for me to attend a workshop and work with a career counselor. Some of the important things I learned are: (1) It's very useful to know what things you are good at, but just because you are good at something doesn't mean you have to make a career of it. (2) You should look at your work, school or life history in terms of overlapping skills you have developed, not job title. This helps develop a broader picture of what you are capable of doing. For example, I discovered that I was not only a "lawyer" but also someone with experience as a "technical writer" - those legal research and writing skills transferred easily to just about anything else. </p>
<p>Career counselors also help people develop insights into what their personal goals are, using questionnaires that ask things like prioritizing employment goals -- what is most important fo that person: making money, personal fulfillment, intellectual challenge, leisure time, etc. That is very important in terms of the rather linear, competitive approach espoused here: go to school, work hard, get job, work hard, get promoted, etc. But the problem is that not everyone really wants to end up being the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. If your real priority is to have a lot of time for family life, then the path epitomized in "The Apprentice" is not the way to go. </p>
<p>I honestly do feel that education is valuable -- it really does open a lot of doors. But it is a mistake to assume that all doors are shut without the degree -- I would just have to say that without a degree, an individual has to rely entirely on their intellect, creativity, and ability to work hard -- there is no piece of paper to fall back on if the other qualities are lacking.</p>