About “Test Drive Your Future”:
“I am so impressed! This is a GREAT gift to young people, and their families. NO ONE talks to kids this way! You hit them with all their senses flaring . . . it’s great. You take them seriously. But you don’t expect them to know more than they do. Beautiful!”
Joyce Reed, Founder and Director of College Goals
Former Associate Dean of the College at Brown University
www.collegegoals.com
“Jim and Beth Hood have once again created a clear and practical guidebook for introspection and planned action in Test Drive Your Future. I would recommend it to all of my gap year students and think it should be included in every high school’s guidance office. Although geared toward high school students, anyone can utilize the helpful outline in this workbook to clarify interests and goals. The process of finding a passion can be life-long and Test Driving Your Future is a good reminder not to settle for less than true satisfaction in one’s work in the world.”
Holly Bull, President of Center for Interim Programs
www.interimprograms.com
Find The Career You Were Meant To Have! “It would be nice if there was a yellow brick road that would lead you to your perfect career. But’s there’s not. There’s something even better… Beth and Jim Hood’s book TEST DRIVE YOUR FUTURE. This delightful, fun, highly interactive guide puts you firmly in the driver’s seat of your life and make you an active participant in one of the most exciting journeys out there – figuring out the career you were meant to have. Invest in purchasing a copy of this guide and you will get a return on your investment that will pay dividends year after year.”
Manisha Thakor, Financial Expert and author of On My Own Two Feet
www.onmyowntwofeet.com
“Test Drive Your Future is an enormously skillful, practical and heartfelt gift to those facing one of the most important decisions of their lives. I am particularly struck by the breadth of career-related factors evoked in helping high school students and graduates turn towards the career direction most true for them. I wish this book had been around 40 years ago-my career trajectory would’ve been very different! Bravo Beth and Jim Hood.”
Gavin Harrison, CPA, spiritual teacher, author of “In the Lap of the Buddha”
Recipient of the “Unsung Hero of Compassion Award” presented to him by his Holiness the Dalai Lama for “kindness and quiet dedication to others”.
I Wish I Had This Book in School: “Test Drive Your Future by Beth and Jim Hood is the perfect book for high school and college students as well as people changing careers. Beth Hood admits that she chose her college major, psychology, after talking to her high school boyfriend one night at the end of a date because psychology sounded interesting. She never interviewed people in the field of psychology, never interned at psychological practices, did not join associations, and she never realized that in college she would spend her time in research labs and never see a single patient. In other words, she never “test drove” her future. This book is a wonderful step-by-step guide for choosing the perfect career. The authors talk about Your Career Lot, the Walk Around, Navigation Support, Regular Maintenance and Hittin’ the Road. You also read wonderful stories of how people found work they truly love. Beth and Jim Hood are wonderful “driving instructors” and I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to have a successful and fulfilling life.”
Linda Hollander, founder of Women’s Small Business Expo and the author of Bags to Riches
www.wealthybaglady.com
“Test Drive Your Future would make a great gift for any high school student or graduate. It will be their most vital resource to guide them in shaping their future. It will truly help each reader get what they want out of their life- and have fun along the way!”
Jessica Lippe, “Teen Talk”, Seattle PI Reader Blogs
Click here for the full review
“How many parents knew what they wanted to do at 18 and how many of these parents are doing what they thought? The answer is usually less than 10%. The misconception is that students should know what they want to do when they “grow up,” but do parents know what they want to do when they “grow up”? These are some of the questions students should understand and be allotted the freedom to explore and navigate their own path. The ability to test drive your future is an essential part of self-exploration and growth.”
Kathy Cheng, Dynamy Internship Year
www.internshipyear.org
“I LOVE your new book!! It is a terrific resource book for anyone choosing a career or considering a career change. I really like the format: the blend of quotes, real-life advice, and helpful exercises guide a person step by step through the process. I also love the “driving a car” analogy. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would have loved to have had this when I taught. I wish it were required to have 9 weeks of career study in high school with interviewing and shadowing available. Your book would be a terrific textbook! I am so proud to be a part of this outstanding book!!!”
Barb Downey, Retired High School English Teacher
Interviewed for “Stories from the Road” for Test Drive
About Beth & Jim Speaking:
“Your presentation was a highlight of our 2008 Health & Wellness Day. You are wonderful keynote speakers with positive energy and a valuable message. I received great feedback from both students and faculty who heard about the presentation from their students. You guys rocked it!!”
Mihana Diaz, Student Activities Coordinator
Hawaii Preparatory Academy
“You guys are awesome! The speech you gave at my school was great and really inspirational!”
Sophomore Student, Hawaii Preparatory Academy
“Beth and Jim Hood are inspiring, addictive, and mesmerizing. Separately they are powerhouses, together they are electrifying. So clearly perfect for each other, they infuse a room with laughter and hope of a meaningful life direction. I have sat back and watched them, many times, and am star-struck at their chemistry.
Drew Rabidoux, LMSW, Life Coach
“When I heard Jim and Beth speak, I was impressed and delighted by their spunk, their authenticity and their skill in connecting with a young adult crowd. They are both brilliant speakers with a clear dedication to helping young people make fulfilling life choices. They’re the kind of people you want to influence your students!”
Joyce Marvel-Benoist, Self Empowerment Counseling
About “Where’s the Map?”:
“Every worthwhile thing I ever accomplished, be it climbing the Matterhorn, kayaking the Nile, or learning to fly a plane, started out as a wish that I wrote down. If I were to describe the process I went through to turn those wishes into accomplishments, it would look very much like what you will find in Where’s the Map?”
John Goddard, “The Real Indiana Jones”, Author of The Survivor
“Beth and Jim are two of those incredible people who have been lucky enough to realize their life’s passion. In Where’s the Map? they help everyone else do the same. By sharing their stories and life goals, they empower the reader to pursue their own personal life mission, whatever that may be. I wish I would have had this book when I was graduating high school!”
Cathleen Daly, RN with the Catholic Medical Mission Board
“AWESOME! What a fabulous resource. Not all of us can be so lucky to have Beth and Jim in person for life’s important decisions. If I hadn’t had the privilege of having them help me along through so many important life milestones and decisions, I would have been happy to have this book! Great!”
Shannon Maureen Hickey, Masters student in Administration of Educational Organizations
“Jim and Beth are among the very most positive, encouraging and inspiring people I know. Their book will be of immense help to many, many young people! I recommend Where’s the Map? with delight.”
Dr. Michael Aronowitz, Licensed Psychologist
“I have read your book, and think it is extremely inspiring and very pertinent to students of this generation.”
Senior, Indiana University
For more testimonials please visit www.wheresthemap.com
