Books

Career and Life Mastery

The Career Revolution: A Design Thinking Approach to Career Development in a Post Pandemic World

Author, Daniel Cohen, CEO of Graduway

Foreword by Hassan Akmal, Executive Director of the UCLA Career Center

Book Summary

This much is clear: to get to the top of your field in today’s dynamic and disruptive world, where underemployment is higher than ever and the future of work is ever-changing and uncertain, you need to be incredibly bold and innovative. But what about reality and its often-extreme hardships? Very few people have imagined, let alone experienced, the muzzle of a machine gun piercing their back, or survived an attempted kidnapping on the border of Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Hassan Akmal’s mesmerizing, transformative, and debut story—often harrowing, frequently inspiring —will make you rethink giving up on your career and your lifelong ambitions. With intricate, powerful, and masterly career lessons on how adversity builds character, on the value of collaboration, and on steadfastly maintaining a positive mindset, his book provides new models of determination and outreach to connect you with brilliant, like-minded people in a connection economy. Above all, it is a catalyst for aligning readers and seekers with their true purpose.

How to be a Career Mastermind™ unveils seven secret windows to championing your own career, based on the highly successful “YOU Matter”—Design Your Career Crown program at Columbia University that has helped thousands redefine their “purpose and impact lens”—blending career and life vision with real-life narratives. Akmal audaciously redefines what it means to be a career coach—his reputation, gratitude, and powerful message of how to be your own Career Mastermind™, all consistent with his core beliefs, are unapologetically eye-catching.

Find your true ambition, close your eyes—are you ready to change your life?

#1 New Release in Business Health and Stress
#1 New Release in Work Life Balance in Business
#42 Best Seller in Job Hunting
#1 New Release in Vocational Guidance
#1 New Release in Job Markets Advice
Author

Hassan Akmal is the Inaugural Executive Director of Industry Relations and Career Strategies, Lecturer, and Founder of the Career Design Lab at Columbia University.

How To Be A Career Mastermind™ Press Release

What's inside the book ?

Chapter 1

Positive Mindset — Almost Everything is Perspective

Chapter 2

The Unlock: Career and Life Vision

Chapter 3

Discovery Calls — The Purpose in You

Chapter 4

Career Manifestó: Be an Architect, Build the Life You Love

Chapter 5

“YOU Matter” — Why You Should Invest in Yourself

Chapter 6

Your Own Personal Business Plan

Chapter 7

A Noble Career and Moral Compass

Chapter 8

Not Your ScarLett letter: Building a Storytelling Legacy

Chapter 9

Building Your Alliance — Your Personal Board of Directors

Chapter 10

Career Mastermind Groups — Championing Careers

Book Reviews

RICHARD SAUL WURMAN
RICHARD SAUL WURMAN
CREATOR OF TED; AUTHOR OF OVER 90 BOOKS ON WILDLY DIVERGENT TOPICS; RECIPIENT OF THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM THE SMITHSONIAN, COOPER-HEWITT MUSEUM; CONTRIBUTOR TO GENIUS: 100 VISIONS OF THE FUTURE, A PROJECT SPONSORED BY THE EINSTEIN LEGACY PROJECT, WHICH FEATURES ESSAYS SUBMITTED BY THE 100 GREATEST INNOVATORS, ARTISTS, SCIENTISTS
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“Finally, an academic who focuses on learning—rather than education. I can’t type. This failure of mine has led me to recording my thoughts and having them transcribed. I decided not to take notes, which led to an enormous improvement in my memory connecting what I hear to other experiences and knowledge and a visual mental web of understanding. Both of these things have become a piece of the design in my life. This book is quite a surprise to me, not only because its author is an academic, but also in its endorsement of passionately designing your life. The big design problem is the design of your life. Not the design of a car, or a house or even a curriculum—it is the design of your life. What you do in your life takes up most of your day and that design should not be left to others. This is a book about participating in your own learning. It is a remarkable, passionate guidebook—dense, but easily absorbed because you hear this rather wonderous man talking to you as you read. It feels like he is sitting next to you and delivering this wisdom for your understanding and your memory without notes; without a typewriter, without the formality of the educational system, giving you a plan that leads to the design of a personal learning system. I particularly like his metaphors about tennis—I congratulate him on his efforts!”
JULLIEN GORDON
JULLIEN GORDON
OUNDER OF MASTERMINDS.ORG; FREEDOM FINDER AND BUSINESS COACH; AUTHOR, THE INNERVIEW
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“For most people, finding a job that gives them meaning is hit or miss. Hassan’s 7 Lenses take luck out of the equation and give you a crystal clear process to find meaningful work by starting within. What you do doesn’t define who you are—who you are should define what you do. This book will help you mastermind your next career move with intention by simplifying and integrating the wisdom and frameworks of the past into powerful imagery and step-by-step instructions.”
JOSHUA WALDMAN
JOSHUA WALDMAN
AUTHOR OF JOB SEARCHING WITH SOCIAL MEDIA FOR DUMMIES
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“This is not your typical career advice book. This book is about perspective and finding meaning in your life. The author has faced the barrel of a gun, literally, and has lived to give us the message: live your life on purpose, don’t’ wait. With practical tools and frameworks, like the Ikigai model, you’ll enjoy a thorough examination of the intersection of your life and your career.”
ALAN ST. GEORGE
ALAN ST. GEORGE
MASTER SCULPTOR; PRESIDENT/FOUNDER/CEO AT FACEMAKERS, INC. AND TITANICCLOCK.COM; CO-CREATOR AND OWNER, HAVENCREST CASTLE, SAVANA, IL
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“Akmal’s book counsels you on how to navigate with your GPS of passion, towards a meaningful life. To see with your heart and focus on your life’s purpose. He demonstrates how to navigate past the meaningless to what really matters: Love, purpose, and the art of living.”
DR. AYESHA AHMAD
DR. AYESHA AHMAD
DIRECTOR, GLOBAL HEALTH HUMANITIES HUB, ST GEORGE’S UNIVERSITY OF LONDON; LECTURER IN GLOBAL HEALTH, AUTHOR, AND CO-EDITOR OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION AND ETHICS
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“Through Akmal’s philosophy, we can see how to integrate our careers as our life-stories, that our work doesn’t define us but we define our work. We become our own story-makers”
BEN ROYCE
BEN ROYCE
HEAD OF PERFORMANCE DATA SCIENCE, GLOBAL AGENCY, GOOGLE
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“In a rapidly changing work environment where all generations are forced to adapt, Hassan provides timeless strategies into how to think about career and future prospects.”
JENNIFER SHIN
JENNIFER SHIN
WORLD-RENOWNED DATA SCIENTIST, ENTREPRENEUR, AND INFLUENCER; PRODUCT DIRECTOR, CONTEXTUAL, NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC
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“In this book, Hassan shares the secrets to masterminding a career in today’s Gig Economy through the lens of his own personal and professional experiences. In sharing his story, Hassan shows the reality of ambitious pursuits: that life can present challenges at any moment and learning how to move past these obstacles can be critical for developing our career. Through the intimate details of his own challenges and his path to shaping his career, Hassan’s story feels relatable and provides a real world context for understanding how to become a Career Mastermind™.”
PEDRO MANRIQUE, PHD
PEDRO MANRIQUE, PHD
CEO, DRP SYSTEMS; AUTHOR AND INVENTOR; ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT; STRATEGIC ANALYST
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“The book How to be a Career Mastermind by Mr. Akmal, has the capacity to be a classic for many reasons. It includes the compelling world view of an elite athlete with compassion and a toughness of mind, that engages the reader throughout. The lessons learned are shared generously, they champion the vision of a Career Mastermind through a synthesized strategy that generates traction. Original, pertinent, and perhaps timeless; this book provides readily accessible pathways for professionals in various stages of development. The lens of positive mindset, coupled with building your alliance and career mastermind groups, are value added interpersonally and professionally. There is a lot to read and retain; however, the book flows with humor and ease, with snapshots of ‘career and life hacks’ that keep you stimulated, learning and moving forward with new tools and perspectives.”
ERIC DI MONTE
ERIC DI MONTE
TALENT ACQUISITION EXECUTIVE, NETWORKING STRATEGIST, D&I ADVOCATE
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“It is impactful to have Hassan, someone who has not only lived through harrowing challenges and has overcome tremendous odds, dedicate himself in sharing his knowledge and positive experiences so others will be motivated to ignite their own passion and life purpose.”
NATHAN CANNING
NATHAN CANNING
FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL STRATEGIST, PARADIIIGM, LLC
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“One of the most important books out there on career and life vision.”
MURWA FARAH
MURWA FARAH
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND CAREER AND LIFE VISION CONSULTANT
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“Akmal is a revolutionary in the fields of Career Services and Professional Development. He demonstrates the art of building a global alliance of positive mindsets, combined with—‘forward momentum’—that brilliantly masterminds career clarity.”
FRANCESCA LAZZERI, PHD
FRANCESCA LAZZERI, PHD
AI & MACHINE LEARNING SCIENTIST, MICROSOFT
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“While many of us are caught up in the habit of thinking about the next job we want, if we want a truly fulfilling life, we should be thinking about what kind of life we want instead. Hassan Akmal encourages you to take control of your destiny and discover a new way to look at life and a clear approach to unearth new opportunities that maybe were not possible. You will learn how to use your own Kantian life lenses to create value versus focusing on just a positive mindset where you look for the value in what the world is offering you.”
SALMAN AZAM
SALMAN AZAM
ESQ, ATTORNEY; ENTREPRENEUR; MANAGING PARTNER; COMMUNITY ACTIVIST
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“Akmal chronicles relevant personal experiences and provides an insightful primer on navigating the difficult path to career success in a challenging time.”
DR. MARTIN J. BOYLE, DM, MBA, CFE, LPD, CEB, CHS-III, DABCHS
DR. MARTIN J. BOYLE, DM, MBA, CFE, LPD, CEB, CHS-III, DABCHS
AUTHOR; SECURITY SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT; UNIVERSITY DEAN; PROFESSOR; CEO; EXECUTIVE CORPORATE PARTNER
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“Akmal demonstrates the true meaning of personal passion. He explains away the purpose of a life’s work, and how it impacts those around us. This book is exemplary standards for the leaders of today, who find themselves in an ever-changing environment. This book will be the ‘go-to’ career book of the next decade.”
AMMAR LATIF
AMMAR LATIF
PHILOSOPHER AND PROFESSOR
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“A pure creative visionary genius! Akmal transforms your global impact lens—enabling you to find your zenith or “Z”, and empowering you to ‘trust the truth’ within you: That cannot be sought, which grows not in heart.”
GREGORY COSTANZO
GREGORY COSTANZO
CAREER CONSULTANT AND EDUCATOR; DIRECTOR OF CAREER SERVICES
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“Akmal lays the foundation for taking your career vision and making it a reality. Each of his seven lenses will inspire your path forward.”
CHRIS MARSHALL
CHRIS MARSHALL
PRESIDENT, GRADUWAY NORTH AMERICA; FORMER ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ALUMNI AFFAIRS, CORNELL UNIVERSITY
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“A life changing journey complete with a roadmap. A must read for anyone at any point on their career path.”
NICOLE ARNDT
NICOLE ARNDT
CAREER CONSULTANT; INDUSTRY RELATIONS LEADER; WRITER
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“Akmal inspires us to design a life with no borders. He helps you reimagine your career trajectory as a passionate portfolio of living.”
DR. PAUL BAILO
DR. PAUL BAILO
EXECUTIVE - DIGITAL STRATEGY & INNOVATION, INFOSYS DIGITAL; AUTHOR OF THE ESSENTIAL DIGITAL INTERVIEW HANDBOOK AND THE ESSENTIAL PHONE INTERVIEW HANDBOOK
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“A must-read for anyone preparing for a successful, meaningful and wondrous career. Full of insights and helpful hints.”
DIANE SPIZZIRRO
DIANE SPIZZIRRO
SENIOR CAREER CONSULTANT, SUCCESS IMAGE; DIRECTOR OF CAREER EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
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“A model of determination in the face of adversity.”
MICHAEL OUDSHOORN
MICHAEL OUDSHOORN
FOUNDING DEAN OF ENGINEERING, HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY
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“This book is full of great advice and strategies for anyone looking for a healthy and meaningful career-life balance. It should be required reading for anyone graduating from college and embarking on their career.”
DAVID DABSCHECK
DAVID DABSCHECK
CEO AND FOUNDER, GIANT INNOVATION
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“Considering how much of our time we spend on our careers, it’s shocking the lack of innovative thinking in career guidance. Akmal effectively and inspiringly responds to this need with a thoughtful, creative, and enjoyable guide to achieving career success.”
TYRONE ROSS
TYRONE ROSS
MANAGING PARTNER, NOBLEBRIDGE WEALTH™ & ASSET MANAGEMENT SERVICES (NAMED THE TOP TEN TO WATCH IN 2019 BY WEALTHMANAGEMENT.COM)
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”Akmal delivers a great work—a compass for the wandering mind, looking for direction. While encouraging readers to find their inner ‘Ikigai,’ the author challenges the reader to follow the heart’s ambition through the art of self-discovery. A powerful read!”
ONIKA RICHARDS
ONIKA RICHARDS
SENIOR CAREER AND EMPLOYER RELATIONS CONSULTANT
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“How to be a Career Mastermind:tm: truly inspires Career Seekers to take ownership of their career. It empowers them to unlock their true passion and provide them with practical tools and resources to achieve their goals.”
TIYA MCIVER
TIYA MCIVER
CAREER COACH
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“A storytelling career guru, at his best.”
KAMINA SINGH
KAMINA SINGH
FOUNDER, HUMAN UPTIONS
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“Akmal reveals a vital guide for integrating a life of purpose with your career bucket list.”
GREGORY COSTANZO
GREGORY COSTANZO
CAREER CONSULTANT AND EDUCATOR; DIRECTOR OF CAREER SERVICES
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“Akmal lays the foundation for taking your career vision and making it a reality. Each of his seven lenses will inspire your path forward.”
MICHAEL A. ALVAREZ
MICHAEL A. ALVAREZ
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
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“An excellent melding of conceptual frameworks, theory, and practical guidance, with outstanding diagrams and visual models. This book shows readers how purpose and fulfillment through work is not only accessible, but distinctly achievable for those who wish to pursue it.”
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