My Job

“I was really drawn into the stories from all over the world of people trying to make a living and make a difference in the lives of others. This book could be a useful tool for helping college students thinking about vocation and how to approach work with a sense of meaning and purpose. There are many lessons, but they are shared via stories rather than through didactic ‘telling.’”

—Mark Elsdon, Executive Director and Pastor, Pres House, University of Wisconsin-Madison

“A must-read. The book brings to life actual work experiences across the world, showing that we have a lot in common. It illustrates that we’re not alone.”

—Craig Newmark, Founder, CraigsList

“The stories in My Job reveal this spirit through the common, quotidian aspirations to create, thrive and leave something better behind—and the myriad hardships and joys that are inherent in this struggle.”

—David Bornstein, New York Times Columnist; Author, How To Change the World

“Skees has done a great job unearthing touching personal stories, meaningful insights and inspirations, and diverse perspectives on the world we all share.”

—Darian Rodriguez Heyman, Author, Nonprofit Management 101 and Nonprofit Fundraising 101

“My Job is very well researched. In what seems to be an increasingly ‘us and them’ world, this book helped me feel a connection with each of the diverse set of interviewees.”

—Vivek Ullal Nayak, Cofounder, TerraClear Inc.

“There’s a mythic quality in these stories; they cross national borders and income brackets to explore how people make a living and make a life through their work. My Job is not only an enjoyable and meaningful read; it’s a demonstration of the principle that we grow together through stories.”

—Paul VanDeCarr, Author, Working Narratives

“I loved the global perspective presented by this book. It opened my mind to consider how much we have in common across cultures and geographic distance. The distinct voice of each narrator drew me in and held me spellbound. Pain and trauma mark many of the stories, but resilience predominates.”

—Peg Conway, author of Embodying the Sacred: A Spiritual Preparation for Birth

“No matter your station in life, you’ll find a piece of yourself in these stories. My Job bridges the divide of geo-political barriers and reveals the universal human desire to make the world better. It sheds light on the powerful impact a job can have, not only in terms of the product produced or service delivered, but on the person doing the job. One need not have riches to make difference. One only needs passion, desire and willingness.”

—Henry Berman, Ed.D, CEO, Exponent Philanthropy

“A celebration and a true gift to people everywhere who work hard to make our world a better place."

—Cristi Hegranes, CEO, Global Press Journal

“Satisfies the voyeur in me who is always wondering what it would be like to live in someone else's shoes.”

—Eden Rock, Operations Director, Placer Land Trust

“Despite our diverse cultures and life experiences, we transform our trauma and dreams into the work that gives meaning to our lives. We meet on common ground in the pages of this book, as human beings striving daily to make the world a little better place. With what brief time we have on this planet . . . That’s the best we can do, and it is a lot.”

—Sheri Sobrato Brisson, Philanthropist; Author, Digging Deep: A Journal for Young People Facing Health Challenges

“A tapestry of rich storytelling, inspiring you to discover your own authentic hustle and providing a brilliant peephole into the makeshift destiny that so often accompanies everyday work and employment. My Job explores themes of meaning, craft, grit, hustle, and exposes the often-invisible humanity at the core of our economy.”

—Alexa Clay, Author, The Misfit Economy

“This is not as much of a book about jobs as it is a book about lives. Each individual's distinct voice comes through. The stories illustrate that there is not just one way to have a ‘good’ job or a ‘good’ life, but also that poverty, hunger, traumatic experiences, and loss of freedom can make any life a struggle. The interviews also address the question of women’s changing place in the work world. Perhaps through reading this book in groups and initiating discussions, readers can build greater understanding of how they want to create their work in the world.”

—Amanda C. Peters, Associate Director, Career Coach, Office of Career Advancement, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University

“Each first-person account stands on its own, and they can be read in any order. Skees nimbly maintains a consistent narrative flow, resulting in highly personal, often poignant, sometimes gritty, portraits that will inspire readers.”

—Kirkus Reviews

"Reveals the common human aspiration to create, thrive, and leave something better behind.”

—David Bornstein, The New York Times

National Trade Marketing and Sales Campaign

National broadcast and print publicity campaign 

Advance distribution of Digital ARC via NetGalley to reviewers, bloggers, journalists, librarians, booksellers, and media

Online marketing campaign including advance giveaways

Watch for author and book updates at www.myjobstories.org

Author is Founder and Board Chair of the nonprofit Skees Family Foundation