7 Books Every Student Should Read Before Entering the Workforce

Unless you’re really lucky, you’ll have some time between taking your last step out of your college and your first step into a new job. You can spend that time trying to have as much fun as you can, basically prolonging the college experience as long as possible. You can spend that time trying to figure things out, yourself included. You can travel, paint, or volunteer. You can do a lot of things, but what you can’t do is escape the fact that, unless you have a trust fund, you’ll have to join the workforce (cue Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine”). It will be a big change, and it might be tough. Luckily, there’s a tool we humans use to extend our knowledge to others and pass it down to coming generations: books. The right book at the right time can give you guidance, advice, inspiration, or words of warning for this transition.

1 This Is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life by David Foster Wallace David Foster Wallace, a writer (and the world’s foremost bandana wearer, aside from Tupac), gave a commencement speech at Kenyon College back in 2005. This speech, titled “This is Water,” was posthumously published in the form of a book, and if you can read only one book on this list, it should be this one. In a very smart and thoroughly human way, Wallace captures the post-college human condition experienced by people who are a part of the workforce, and gives thoughtful advice about making the most out of it.

2 How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie A self-help book from the 1930s that’s still as influential as it’s ever been, Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People is a must-read for everyone whose work will include any form of contact with people. The book will teach you how to win friends and influence people, just as the title says, and you can imagine how helpful that might be with coworkers, clients, and customers. Previous editions had sections about writing effective business letters and marital satisfaction, but those were dropped in more recent editions. You have this blog to help you with business writing; for the marital thing, you’re on your own.

3 A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf There’s more than one reason you should read Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own. The sheer guts she displayed by giving lectures about lesbianism, feminism, and gender inequalities is one reason. The fact that women are still paid less than men to do the same jobs around the world is another one. And it also carries the lesson that, no matter your gender or occupation or the hardships you face, you should fight to carve out a room of your own, a place for your passions.

4 Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain Those who aren’t particularly outgoing and tend to keep to themselves might think they won’t have a nice time joining the workforce. According to Susan Cain, they might be onto something, because it seems that today’s culture prefers extroverts. In Quiet, Cain aims to show the folly of such an approach while also giving introverts plenty of tips on how to find their way in this culture. This book aims to change minds, so extroverted college graduates should read it as well.

5 Personal Finance for Dummies by Eric Tyson Starting to earn money is one thing; learning how to manage it is a completely different thing. What to do and what not to do with your personal finances is something that’s best learned before you actually have personal finances, and Eric Tyson’s book will provide plenty of good advice about what’s ahead of you in your professional and financial life.

6 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey Another self-help classic, Covey’s seven habits have been so influential that they garnered him an invitation from President Bill Clinton for a chat about ways to implement the seven habits in his presidency. What makes the book so influential is that it carefully balances independence and interdependence, giving advice on how to prioritize personal goals, but also how to use empathetic listening to understand others.

7 Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do by Studs Terkel The last book of the list is a book in which people talk about their work and how it makes them feel. Studs Terkel’s masterpiece is an oral history that delivers exactly what it promises—regular people with regular thoughts about their jobs. The jobs the people in the book have are widely varied, so you’ll read the thoughts of a piano tuner on one page and the musings of a tennis player on another. And even though it was written in 1974, it’s still a very valuable resource for you, the person about to join the workforce.

5 Reasons You Should Be Reading African American Literature

In the month of February, Americans place a special emphasis on the achievements and history of black Americans, or Americans of African descent. Each year, a theme promotes one facet of black heritage. This year, 2016, the theme is “Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories.” The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) website explains, “From port cities where Africans disembarked from slave ships to the battlefields where their descendants fought for freedom, from the colleges and universities where they pursued education to places where they created communities during centuries of migration, the imprint of Americans of African descent is deeply embedded in the narrative of the American past. These sites prompt us to remember and over time became hallowed grounds.” You might encounter descriptions of many of these important locations in African American literature, such as the books mentioned in the article “5 Inspiring Authors to Read During Black History Month.” But why should you be interested in the works of these African American writers?

A Complete Education

History helps you to understand the present. It also helps you to see the consequences of actions and attitudes. African American history is an integral part of American and world history. To appreciate historical events, you need to know more than just the names of people and places or the dates of events. Why did the people involved act in the way that they did? What were the prevailing attitudes of society? How did the social, environmental, political, and religious climate impact the people and events? African American historical novels reveal what was happening in the black community during significant world events. You won’t fully comprehend the past until you examine it from all possible angles.

Exposure to Different Perspectives

If you are not of African descent, you may view the world differently than someone who comes from that background. Of course, the best way to get to know people is to spend time with them in person. However, reading is another great way to consider the world from a perspective other than your own.

Development of Empathy

When you read any literature from another cultural standpoint, you will see differences in the way people of that culture think, speak, and behave. You might be surprised to learn how many similarities you notice. Emotions such as love, anger, curiosity, desire, sorrow, and fear are common to all people. Perceiving these similarities may help you to feel more connected to black Americans as a group. When black Americans read these books, they also feel more connected to their ancestors. Studies prove that reading positive stories about members of your ethnic group increases feelings of self-worth and belonging. Children, adults, blacks, and non-blacks benefit from reading multicultural literature.

Cool Culture

One of the best things about American culture is that it incorporates traditions, cuisine, art, and other facets of many world cultures. By reading literature rooted in African American culture, you may learn that some of the customs you already practice have African origins.

Everyone Loves a Good Book

Why do you read any book? Did you receive a recommendation from a friend or teacher? Does the title intrigue you? Are you looking for specific information? These same factors can move you to read African American literature.

You don’t have to limit your appreciation for black history to the month of February. African American literature is an enjoyable way to celebrate American culture all year round. Whether you do it to fill out your knowledge of world history, to challenge yourself to view things from another perspective, or just to find a good book, you won’t regret exploring this fascinating genre.

For Team Members at Automated Proofreading Company, Email Presents a Major Challenge*

San Francisco, Calif. — Most consumer Internet startups focus on gaining funding, accessing top talent, or providing Google-esque perks, but a Bay Area automated proofreading company is navigating a different set of issues.

“I am terrified to send emails,” said a team member at Grammarly.com. “Because I work with a company dedicated to improving written communication, all of my email is subject to intense scrutiny. Even my friends have started to point out the tiniest mistakes in my writing.”

Nationally, employees at writing-related companies have expressed similar fears in publishing articles without reviewing them at least five times, or updating their social media profiles. The problem is largely the handiwork of grammar geeks and word nerds with 24×7 Internet access and a penchant for trolling.

“Before I press ‘send,’ I find myself reading and re-reading my outgoing mail at least five times,” said another Grammarly team member. “Last month, I nearly forgot to include a comma before ‘and’ when listing three items in a series – after that, I communicated exclusively by telephone for a week.”

But some experts do not see a problem.

“How can human beings go on living if they know that someone is wrong on the Internet?” asked a representative from Reddit.com. “By detecting minor grammar errors and publicly shaming those responsible, grammar geeks and word nerds are creating transparency around the issue of written communication.”

Grammarly provides team members with email exposure therapy and daily counseling sessions, but the stress is taking a toll.

“Last year, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we asked our Facebook fans which teacher had the biggest impact on their love of reading or writing,” said a member of Grammarly’s social media team. “Rather than answer the question, some fans started a scathing dialogue about whether ‘impact’ is an acceptable verb. Dictionaries went flying.”

In a written statement, one of Grammarly’s senior executives said, “With respect to written communication, the bar is high. That’s [literally] all I am comfortable saying right now.”

Employees at automated proofreading companies are not the only ones under scrutiny. Teachers are increasingly blamed for their part in perpetuating poor writing education. Legal constraints prevent grammar geeks and word nerds from infiltrating the classroom, but writing activists have circumvented this with standardized testing and other initiatives.

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* This is a satirical blog post that we’ve written to mimic a typical newspaper article. It is meant to brighten your day, and not to offend. No Grammarly team members were harmed in the writing of this piece; and (for the most part) we are not really afraid to send emails. #FunnyFriday @TheOnion needs us!

#GrammarlyChat

If you missed our March #GrammarlyChat, get caught up with our Storify summary: https://storify.com/Grammarly/grammarlychat-blogging-and-self-publishing.

If you missed our February #GrammarlyChat, get caught up with our Storify summary: https://storify.com/Grammarly/grammarlychat-writing-for-work-and-job-searching.

If you missed our January #GrammarlyChat about books and reading, get caught up with our Storify summary: https://storify.com/Grammarly/grammarly-chat-books-and-reading

If you missed our December #GrammarlyChat, get caught up with our Storify summary: https://storify.com/Grammarly/grammarlychat-editing.

Please email socialmedia@grammarly.com with any questions or ask us on Twitter @Grammarly. We look forward to chatting with you!

Labeled or Labelled—Which Is Correct?

• Labeled and labelled are both correct spellings.
• Labeled is the preferred spelling in American English.
• Labelled is the preferred spelling in British English.

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How should you spell the past tense of the verb label? After adding the -ed ending, should you double the L? Speakers of American English might answer differently than speakers of British English.

Labeled vs. Labelled

Labeled and labelled are both correct spellings, and they mean the same thing. How you spell the word depends on your audience. If you are writing for American readers, labeled is the preferred spelling. In other places, such as Great Britain and Canada, labelled is a more common spelling than labeled.

Even though the jar was labeled as flour, the children knew it was where their mom hid the candy.

The school labeled the lockers with numbers.

What the janitor labelled bug spray contained a powerful poison.

No one likes to be labelled as a cheater.

Examples

Labeled in North American Publications

As you shop your favorite grocery store, do you lean toward foods that are labeled “natural”?

Michigan State University Extension

“As a concerned citizen and a veteran I am profoundly upset that your administration has labeled the American Flag a ‘disruptive symbol,” Velis wrote.

Mass Live

Labelled in British Publications

A schoolboy has been suspended after a light-hearted video of him rapping was labelled a ‘hate crime’ by teachers.

Daily Mail UK

In February, the Sun, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch, published a story which labelledPrince William “work-shy Wills”, and accused him of “shirking” his royal duties and his job as an air ambulance pilot.

Financial Times

When reading, keep in mind that labeled and labelled are both correct. If you are the writer, choose the most familiar form for your readers. If you have questions about other British vs. American English spellings, you might do some research before deciding which word is right for you. Do you know the difference between realise and realize or check and cheque?

Five Tools Dyslexic People Can Use To Improve Their Writing

By Nelson Lauver, Author of Most Un-Likely To Succeed

I’m nervous and thinking about turning around and getting back in my car. Just ring the doorbell, I tell myself. I find the courage, and my blind date answers the door with one hand while holding back Lola, an exuberant 80-pound rescued pit bull mix, with the other. I can’t believe my eyes! Jane could be a model. She’s stunning, with a movie-star smile. I soon learn that she is also good-natured and witty, and she can cook!

Jane has it on good authority that I’m not a serial killer, or she wouldn’t have invited me to her home for dinner in the first place. It’s been an hour or so, and I’m starting to relax. I think the wine is helping.

Perhaps it’s premature but I’m smitten. However, if we’re to have a future, I need to know if she was paying attention in English class, because I wasn’t. Can she spell? How is she at putting a sentence together? Can she collaborate? I need to know because I’m a professional writer with dyslexia, and I depend heavily on those I trust to proofread. As luck would have it, Jane had paid attention in school, and that being the case, I ask her to marry me. Not that first night, of course, but some time later.

My wife is my biggest cheerleader. We don’t often think of people when we think of compensatory strategies to deal with dyslexia, but my wife is responsible for my writing career reaching a higher level.

I have Alexa, too. While voice-activated Alexa (A.K.A. Echo) from Amazon can’t help me with syntax or comma placement, she does just fine as a substitute spelling coach when Jane isn’t home.

Another compensation tool I use is the spell/grammar check function in Microsoft Word. It works about 50 percent of the time. The other 50 percent of the time it flashes an error message with the phone number for Hooked on Phonics.

I much prefer video and audio to heavy reading. However, I do find an ebook much easier to decode than standard print; don’t know why. Also, larger text and double-spaced lines make reading easier.

Voice-to-text software doesn’t work well for me, while other dyslexics swear by it. So, by all means, try it!

I have many writer friends who fluidly produce prose worthy of admiration. For that reason, and no other, I hate their guts—in a nice way of course. I, on the other hand, hunt and peck the keyboard. The slow pace gives me lots of time to think about what I’m saying. I think it makes my writing more conversational.

Nonwriter friends praise me, telling me that they could never manipulate words into pictures or vice versa. To that, I suggest an introduction to my editor.

Like most dyslexics, I think in pictures and feel dyslexia gives me an advantage over other writers. But the fact remains that I can’t spell, have weak punctuation skills, and chicken scratch penmanship that is no better than that of your average second grader or family doctor.

The world will forgive you if you can’t ride a bike, play the violin, or kick a soccer ball, but society won’t forgive you if you can’t spell, read, or write well. For this reason, many bright and talented dyslexics are sent to the back of the line. It’s not fair, but it’s a fact of life. Even with modern technology, it’s difficult to find strategies for improving one’s writing.

I’m always on the lookout for any promise of help in my fight for better wordsmithing. Several months ago I stumbled across Grammarly, an automated, online proofreader and grammar/spelling checker.

Grammarly goes far beyond the standard spell-checkers that we’ve all come to know and loathe. It’s like having a friendly coach sitting next to you as you write. And while I am not going to replace my human editor, it’s clear that the job description has changed. My editor no longer needs to spend so much time with a red pen marking heavy corrections. We now have much more time for discussing characters and storylines, and that makes for a better reader experience!

In my twenty-one years as a writer, I have found Grammarly to be the single most valuable tool for making me a better writer. I recognized its benefits instantly. A dyslexic writer no longer needs to seek out an attractive grammar cop and go to the expense of an engagement ring. Although, I’ll never regret ringing that doorbell.

Looking for more tools? These will help.

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Nelson Lauver is the host of the American Storyteller Radio Journal and author of the award winning memoir Most Un-Likely To Succeed. He is also a keynote speaker, humorist, syndicated broadcaster, strategist, entrepreneur, voice-over artist, co-founder of the Jane and Nelson Lauver Foundation, and director of ProblemTank, a neurodiverse thinktank.

Got a Problem With Passive Voice? These 7 Sentences Will Help

By Akmal Akbarov

Do you have a problem with the passive voice? Do you know the difference between the passive and active voices?

Well, you don’t have to worry any longer because I have created this article just for you.

If you scroll down, you will see that I have taken one sentence and showed you how to write it in both the active and passive voices.

In the active voice your sentences usually follow this formula:

Subject + verb + object

For example: I clean my room every day. –> I (subject) + clean (verb) + my room (object) everyday.

To rewrite the sentence in the passive voice, you must make the object of this sentence the subject of the new sentence. The verb in a passive voice sentence is made up of an inflected form of to be and a past participle.

For example: My room is cleaned every day. –> My room (subject) + is (verb to be) + cleaned (past participle) every day.

Now let’s see how other tenses in English work in the passive voice. �� 1. Present Simple Active Voice I clean my room every day. I = subject clean = verb my room = object

1. Present Simple Passive Voice My room is cleaned every day. My room = subject is = verb to be (present tense) cleaned = verb past participle

2. Past Simple Active Voice I cleaned my room yesterday. I = subject cleaned = verb (past tense) my room = object

2. Past Simple Passive Voice My room was cleaned yesterday. My room = subject was = verb to be (past tense) cleaned = past participle

3. Present Perfect Active Voice I have cleaned my room this morning. I = subject have cleaned = verb (present perfect tense) my room = object

3. Present Perfect Passive Voice My room has been cleaned this morning My room = subject has been = verb to be (present perfect tense) cleaned = past participle

4. Present Continuous Active Voice I am cleaning my room now. I = subject am cleaning = verb (present continuous tense) my room = object

4. Present Continuous Passive Voice My room is being cleaned now. My room = subject is being = verb to be (present continuous tense) cleaned = past participle

5. Past Continuous Active Voice I was cleaning my room yesterday. I = subject was cleaning = verb (past continuous tense) my room = object

5. Past Continuous Passive Voice My room was being cleaned yesterday. My room = subject was being = verb to be (past continuous tense) cleaned = past participle

6. Future Simple Active Voice I will clean my room tomorrow. I = subject will clean = verb (future simple tense) my room = object

6. Future Simple Passive Voice My room will be cleaned tomorrow. My room = subject will be = verb to be (future simple tense) cleaned = past participle

7. Future (Going to) Active Voice I am going to clean my room this weekend. I = subject am going = verb to clean = infinitive my room = object

7. Future + Going to Passive Voice My room is going to be cleaned this weekend. My room = subject is going = verb to be = verb to be (infinitive) cleaned = past participle

​If you still have questions, please don’t forget to comment!

Hi, my name is Akmal. I’m an English language enthusiast, blogger, writer, and entrepreneur. In addition to being the founder of EnglishClubPro.com, I’m also a teacher of English with more than ten years of experience. I love helping aspiring English learners to master their English. Post adapted from original post.