From First Job to Career: Research and Narratives

by Steven Zhou, Graziella Pagliarulo McCarron

Overview

From First Job to Career is an anthology that weaves together inspiring first-job stories from people across diverse industries and backgrounds, offering career seekers of all ages the chance to connect with relatable experiences and hard-earned wisdom. This collection reveals the different paths people take in shaping their careers and serves as a resource for readers to identify with and learn from others' journeys. Paired with a comprehensive review of research in vocational psychology and career counseling, the book distills key principles and provides actionable resources for navigating the job search and building a meaningful career.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781009376976
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/21/2025
Pages:	220
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

Stephen Zhou is an assistant professor of psychology at Claremont McKenna College, where he researches and teaches on quantitative methods, leadership studies, and careers and vocation. He completed his PhD in organizational psychology at George Mason University, during which time he published twenty-one articles, obtained $40,000 in research funding, and taught six undergraduate courses. He also has several years of corporate experience in nonprofit management, human resources, and data analytics.

Graziella Pagliarulo McCarron, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Leadership Studies and a Higher Education program faculty member at George Mason University. As a scholar-practitioner, she has 20+ years of experience in spaces including student development; college access; adult/returning, and/or first-generation learner support; workforce development; and mattering-focused pedagogy.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Part I. An Overview of the Changing Nature of Work, Career Research, and Career Education: Part II. First Job and Career Narratives: 1. On leaning into risk-taking: Sophie's story; 2. On the long and windy path: Caleb's story; 3. On persistence in pursuing accounting: Katie's story; 4. On alternative definitions of success: Wyatt's story; 5. On unconventional and unexpected paths: Meera's story; 6. On getting the most out of that first job: Aiden's story; 7. On trying something out, just to see what it's like: Sara's story; 8. On doing something completely different: Bailey's story; 9. On starting a career in the Army: Ronald's story; 10. On persistence from an International student perspective: David's story; 11. On finding a job in the Interim: Arlene's story; 12. On confidence in your value: Axel's story; 13. On being hungry: Gregor's story; 14. On lifelong government careers: Sid's story; 15. On overpreparing in your job search: Daniel's story; 16. On changing plans and taking risks: Taylor's story; 17. On recovering from a blindside: Tabia's story; 18. On saying yes to everything: Korey's Story; 19. On coincidences: Adnan's Story; 20. On finding a path Internationally: Maara's Story; 21. On the challenges of being a person of color in finance: Afi's story; 22. On adapting to nonlinearity: Tristan's story; 23. On setting your own pace: Kyla's story; 24. On reflecting on times of desperation: Ray's story; 25. On throwing the plan out the window: Dana's Story; 26. On proving your worth: Colton's story; 27. On staying open to new directions: Thomas' story; 28. On pivoting from your original career path: Mika's story; 29. On faking It until you make it: Darius' story; 30. On starting a career later in life: Tori's story; 31. On leaving a hostile work environment: Allen's story; 32. On starting at the bottom of the ladder: Dex's story; 33. On being employee number seven: Sheri's story; 34. On being a lifelong learner: Warren's story; 35. On faith through disabilities: Gerald's story: 36. On managing your expectations: Ronan's story; 37. On making the most out of your degree: Nolan's story; 38. On working hard in any position: Zara's story: 39. On selling out: Irena's story; 40. On the challenges of sexism at work: Macie's story; 41. On loyalty to a company: Esther's story; 42. On bouncing back: Aba's Story; 43. On inventing a role: Sia's story; 44. On start-up after start-Up: Dario's Story; 45. On breaking traditional expectations: Angela's story; 46. On figuring It out through trial and error: Glenn's story; 47. On finding value in less-than-ideal circumstances: Kara's story; 48. On Resilience: Nathan's story: 49. On focusing on the here and now: Mason's story; 50. On patiently waiting for your moment: Jed's story; 51. On negotiating your salary: Ray's Story; 52. On standing up for yourself: Clara's story; 53. On being pushed harder than expected: Klein's story; 54. On widening your job search: Devon's story; 55. On relying on your network: Rafaela's story; 56. On the immigrant experience in the US: Domenico's story; 57. On being a serial entrepreneur: Claudia's story; 58. On a lifelong career in hospitality: Reagan's story; 59. On a lifelong career in nursing: Barbara's story; 60. On just starting a career and looking for next steps: Molly's story; 61. On taking the first step: Melinda's story; Part III. Making meaning of career Narratives: Appendix A: Methodology: Appendix B: Participant Demographics: References: Index.