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“The problem with many corporate environments is that they are still patterned after the work world of the 1950s. The system worked back in the days when employees pledged undying loyalty in return for guaranteed jobs for life. But today’s work environment, most employees have already lived through numerous layoffs, downsizings and reorganizations. Everybody knows that working hard is no guarantee of advancement or even continued employment.” –Pamela Skillings

Every month or so I check my mail to find a book. Usually, it comes as a result of an email from an Agent or PR consultant or any other of the many people trying to get reading material into the hands of bloggers. Unfortunately, most of these books don’t resonate enough to talk about. There are only so many tomes on marketing or business that you can read before it all starts sounding the same. That’s why when I was recommended Escape From Corporate America by Pamela Skillings, I didn’t hold out too much hope.

Luckily for everyone involved, from page one, I was surprised.

Make Your Escape

The premise of the book is exactly what the title says, it’s a guide to getting out of the humdrum of your 9 to 5 and finding fulfillment as an entrepreneur. Why I like it is that it doesn’t take the tack that all corporate jobs are soul-sucking, mind-numbing wastes of youth and creativity. It even-handedly points out that some people do well in that structure, but it’s aimed at those who find the typical rewards of corporate life (security, prestige, benefits) to be less important than freedom. The freedom to build something from scratch and see where it goes.

It’s a nice quick read, weighing in at just over 300 pages. While that might seem like a bit of a commitment, 10% or so of it is what I like to call “‘workbook material,” fill in the blanks, peripheral story-telling and other side-notes that can be skipped without losing the meat and potatoes. That leads to another thing I like about this book over other similar titles, it’s extremely conversational. Lessons are told through stories and those stories feel personal. Anyone who has ever spent time in a large corporation or as a freelancer will be able to relate to the material in this book.

If I had any problem with the it, it is that it rehashes some old points, especially for those who have read other career self-help books. A lot of times you’ll feel like you are going over old material. Anything from “Go Solo” to worksheets on financial planning are extremely old hat. Even so, these speed bumps are usually followed by interesting supporting material that gives a fresh spin to otherwise tired concepts.

In all, if you are interested in changing careers, need some catharsis about the job you are in, or just want to feel like your distaste for corporate living is shared by someone else — pick up a copy of this book. If you can get past the minor flaws, it’s well worth the read.

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