Beneficial Books to Read During the Pandemic
- ouspcs
- Oct 27, 2020
- 3 min read
Earlier this month, SPCS and the COMS Alumni Advisory Council co-sponsored the interactive panel “Adulting 101 in the Midst of the Pandemic” featuring distinguished COMS alumni. The discussion focused on three main topics: marketing yourself, maintaining well-being, and navigating relationships in the virtual world. While internships and campus organization participation may be scarce, there are other ways for us to be working on ourselves during the pandemic. One of the best ways for us to learn and grow is through reading. So, let’s talk about five books that our alumni recommended.
What Color Is Your Parachute
Richard Nelson Bolles originally published this book in 1970, and it has been revised annually since 1975. The text is a self-help book intended for job-seekers. The book offers advice for job hunting strategies, writing resumes, interviewing, and networking. One of the popular topics of the text is Bolles’ famed “Flower Exercise.” This exercise helps job-seekers find seven ways of thinking about themselves. This year’s addition was updated by Vanderbilt University Career Center Director, Katherine Brooks, to offer modern advice on the job hunt in today's market after the effects of COVID-19. If you are about to start your job search, check out this book.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen R. Covey published this book in 1989 and presents universal and timeless advice. The text is a business and self-help book intended to help people be effective in attaining their goals. Covey focuses on “the character ethic” to align one’s values with natural laws. He argues that values govern our behavior while principles determine the consequences. The lessons in this text are presented in 7 habits that help us change our perceptions to change ourselves. If you are looking for better ways to achieve your goals, check out this book.
The 9 Ways of Working
Michael J. Goldberg published this book in 1999 to introduce the 9 personality styles of the Enneagram. On Instagram, you will find pages that describe your personality type based on pop culture, but Goldberg looks at the worldview of each personality to determine how they think, what they want, and why they act the way they do. You will recognize your personality and that of your colleagues. Read this book to learn the most effective way for your personality to work with others and how other personalities work to be able to better understand those around you.
Braving the Wilderness
Brené Brown, a #1 bestselling author, published this book in 2017. This is a self-help book that challenges everything we think we know about cultivating true belonging in our communities, organizations, and culture. With our current political and social climate, lessons and themes in this text are important to connect our courage, authenticity, and vulnerability with what is needed in the world. If you are struggling with ‘fitting in’ and looking for advice to be who you are no matter what, check out this book.
Start with Why
Simon Sinek published this book in 2009. This is a self-help book that examines how leaders who have had great influence in the world think, act, and communicate. In this text, Sinek introduces what he calls, “The Golden Circle” which is a framework that starts with ‘why’ some organizations and people are more innovative, influential, and profitable than others. If you are looking for your ‘why,’ then check out this book.
Written by Sarah Williams
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