Introduction
This book was written by Patrick Combs who also doubles up as an inspirational speaker. This book has been written for students aspiring to join college or those who are already in college.
Grounded in current research in business economics and coupled with appropriate insights from the corporate world, the book is suitable for every college student regardless of age.
Summary
The first chapter of this book is “On the Road to Success”. It basically outlines the vitality in students identifying the type of career they would like to undertake in future. The author points out that it is wise for one to choose the career which will offer the greatest happiness and satisfaction. In the second chapter i.e.
“Truly Passionate”, it has been emphasized that for one to be successful in ones choice of career, he/she must possess extra ordinary drive and passion. This passion will eventually propel one to exert the necessary effort towards the achievement of the set goals.
The following chapter; “ Major Excitement” is an elaboration of the previous one. It points out that the passion that generates from achieving success in ones endeavors acts as a morale booster resulting in even greater success.
Students are advised to refrain from choosing a carreer on the basis of such things as prestige and renumeration, instead one should go for what really interests and inspires one. Thus , it is also paramount that a student recognizes his/her weaknesses and strengths in the particular subjects required by his/her career of choice.
This is in order to enable the student to know the type of career that one is most suited for in accordance with his/her strengthes as far as relevant subjects are concerned.
The following chapter which is “Money Matters” offers great advice to students on sound money management practices. It emphasizes that it is important to learn how to manage ones finances prudently regardless of the amounts in question.
In the sixth chapter; “Your Ultimate Life”, the book observes that a student’s stint in college is a time that one should explore as many interests as one can. Most of all, one should strive to graduate with an enthusiasm for learning.
It inferes that one can increase his/her enthusiasm by exploring ones interests. This has been further expounded on in the following chapter; “The Six Big Fears”. Combs observes that such fears for instance the fear of failure and reactions from peers and family members can decrease ones spirit for learning.
In other words, one has to come up with ways of confronting his/her fears and opt to follow ones heart’s desires with less focus on what opinions others might have on a particular subject. He further insinuates that one would be better off exploring his/her own interests in the library than sleeping through a class that is boring (Combs, 2000).
In the ninth chapter, the author highlights the importance of co-curricular activities to the students. He concurs that while it is prudent to work hard in academics, it is equally vital for one to take part in sports and such other activities. Such activities help one to wind up and release accumulated tensions.
Such activities also help one to develop other essential skills such as ledership, team work and interpersonal skills. In the next chapter “Never Mind the Grades’, the book observes that a student should desist from laying too much emphasize on grades since success is a component of various aspects grades being just a fraction of it.
It is pointed out that students can still achieve their goal regardless of poor grades in the majors, a lackluster GPA, and past shortcomings.
The author shows further insightfulness in the later stages of the book. For instance, in the fifteenth chapter; “Life Changing Reality Checks”, the author advises student to take the opportunity of learning from the numerous lessons that life is bound to throw at people during their course of life.
The following chapter i.e. Really Get into It”, the book cautions the students on the need to get desicive and immerse themselves in all the activities that have been tailored to help them achieve their goals.
The author cautions against procastination since it is not only time wasting but it can also cause a decrease in motivation.
The sixteenth chapter i.e. Show and Tell, the book emphasizes the need for students to talk about their areas of interests as this is a great source of motivation and confidence. Also by doing so, one stands to be corrected and assisted which are all the more beneficial.
The eighteenth chapter is Going Professional. It is basically an outline of some prerequisite steps and skills that aspiring college students should have in possession in order to attract employment.
He emphasizes on the need to acquire interpersonal, communicational and technical skills that are relevant to ones career. This is clearly illuminated by the following excerpt from the book, “No matter what you major in, if you can’t answer the phone, make a presentation, do a spreadsheet,
or write a business letter, nobody needs you”. The author has expressly highlighted some resourceful ideas that a student can use so as to jump start an exciting career. For instance he has emphasized on the need to have a presentable resume, sound networking, strong interview skills, plausible references etc.
Critique
There is no doubt that Patrick Combs’ major in success is not only an enlightening but also an inspiring book. However, some people have had some reservations with some areas in this book. Personally I feel that the book leans more towards wishful thinking than truth and reality.
This is because the author fails to acknowledge the fact that people are living in an ever changing world where new and emerging demands are being placed in all spheres of live. Furthermore, he has failed to explain how a student ought to adapt to these changes once he/she embarks on a specific career.
He has also failed to describe his own success, the author’s facts are not grounded in quantifiable facts and statistics, he has downplayed the importance of grades in the job market by making an assumption that “College is for developing your talents to learn and do so that you can learn and do anything you like (Combs, 2000) and he also asserts that one should not panic if ones extracurricular activities have a negative effect on ones grades.
Recommendation
Nonetheless, major in success is a great book which offers prospective college students a wide range of lessons and advice. I have to say that, in the end, I would recommend this book to any student wanting to identify his/her areas of interest in view of laying a strong foundation towards achieving a satisfying career.
Works Cited
Combs, Patrick. Major in success: Make College Easier, Fire Up Your Dreams, and Get a Great Job. Francisco: Ten Speed Press, 2000.