Modern College: Choose Your Path. Get a Degree. Land Your Dream Job.
by Alex Valaitis
Modern College is a recent grad’s collection of notes, research, and stories on how to navigate today’s complex college environment in order to land your dream job after graduation.
College has changed a lot over the years, but the advice that we give to college students has not. Or so claims Alex Valaitis, a recent college graduate and current Product Manager at LinkedIn. Alex argues that we aren’t positioning students for success, because the advice from previous generations doesn’t take into account significant changes such as technology, student debt, and the rapidly evolving job market.
In Modern College, Alex breaks the college experience into 3 distinct parts and his strategy for how to approach each. Along the way, he sprinkles in advice, data, and deeply personal stories to help guide college students through the process. Unlike most college advice books, the advice Alex gives is authentic and still relevant. Not only does Alex offer unique domain knowledge from working for the largest professional networking company in the world, but he is also only a few years removed from graduation. Alex has lived the modern college experience, and his story shows that while the college system may not be perfect, it can still position you for great success after graduation.
“Modern College is the Bible for college.” — Ashar Malik, Software Engineer at Vectra AI, UT-Austin Graduate
"As a current college student, I would recommend Modern College to all high school and college students. Alex has a vast amount of experience from all over the world and knows what it takes to succeed in school and life. After reading Modern College I wish I could go back to high school and re-enter college with this information." — Nick Clarizio, Student at UW-Madison
“From a parent’s perspective, Modern College is a must-read for parents, high school students as well as future, current and recent college graduates. The straightforward advice laid out in a very logical and enlightening way makes this book not only a great read but a referenceable book for before, during, and after college.” — Greg Hendry, Director at KPMG, Father of 3 current students
"As a daughter of immigrants, I wish I had read this book before heading to university. It’s filled with personal anecdotes, data, and helpful advice to make the most of the four years. Modern College tackles the tough questions head-on giving readers a look into today’s college life, highlighting opportunities and cautioning about potential pitfalls." — Julia Abelsky, PM @ LinkedIn, Northwestern University Grad
In this book you’ll learn:
College has changed a lot over the years, but the advice that we give to college students has not. Or so claims Alex Valaitis, a recent college graduate and current Product Manager at LinkedIn. Alex argues that we aren’t positioning students for success, because the advice from previous generations doesn’t take into account significant changes such as technology, student debt, and the rapidly evolving job market.
In Modern College, Alex breaks the college experience into 3 distinct parts and his strategy for how to approach each. Along the way, he sprinkles in advice, data, and deeply personal stories to help guide college students through the process. Unlike most college advice books, the advice Alex gives is authentic and still relevant. Not only does Alex offer unique domain knowledge from working for the largest professional networking company in the world, but he is also only a few years removed from graduation. Alex has lived the modern college experience, and his story shows that while the college system may not be perfect, it can still position you for great success after graduation.
“Modern College is the Bible for college.” — Ashar Malik, Software Engineer at Vectra AI, UT-Austin Graduate
"As a current college student, I would recommend Modern College to all high school and college students. Alex has a vast amount of experience from all over the world and knows what it takes to succeed in school and life. After reading Modern College I wish I could go back to high school and re-enter college with this information." — Nick Clarizio, Student at UW-Madison
“From a parent’s perspective, Modern College is a must-read for parents, high school students as well as future, current and recent college graduates. The straightforward advice laid out in a very logical and enlightening way makes this book not only a great read but a referenceable book for before, during, and after college.” — Greg Hendry, Director at KPMG, Father of 3 current students
"As a daughter of immigrants, I wish I had read this book before heading to university. It’s filled with personal anecdotes, data, and helpful advice to make the most of the four years. Modern College tackles the tough questions head-on giving readers a look into today’s college life, highlighting opportunities and cautioning about potential pitfalls." — Julia Abelsky, PM @ LinkedIn, Northwestern University Grad
In this book you’ll learn:
- An overview of the pros and cons of attending college
- An expansive look at viable alternatives to a 4-year degree
- How to choose your college major
- Tips for building and expanding both your personal and professional network
- Strategies for tackling careers fairs, standing out in online applications, and nailing job interviews
- How to create a LinkedIn profile and resume that will make you stand out
- A basic understanding of personal finances
