Ten Things I Wish I’d Known before I Went Out into the Real World

By Maria Shriver
Book Review by: Asmaa Abbas

“Alright class, do chapter one for homework in your WYEE* book. The assignment is due next Monday,” Mr. Ventimiglia announced, as we were packing our books and getting ready for our next class.

It was 10:00 a.m, and I was in my peaceful state, reading through the chapter and answering the questions. I have to admit, the chapter was really interesting. It was talking about how to impress your employer and really stand out, and how to clearly understand that no job is too small for you. As I was skimming through comments and tips offered at the sides of each page, my eyes rolled on this quote:

“Maria Shriver, the award-winning television journalist describes her first job in Ten Things I Wish I’d Known before I Went out into the Real World. In her own words, she states that “starting at the bottom builds character. It makes you hungry and determined. It is also a good way to find out, stunning as it may be, that you’re not as smart as you think you are. And it’s the best way to learn” (Shriver).

Something made me grab a pen and paper, and I eagerly wrote down Maria Shriver’s name and the title of the book. I was curious to know what these 10 things might turn out to be.

After reading this book, I discovered that it was a commencement speech given by Maria Shriver at the College of the Holy Cross, a very prestigious Catholic College in Worcester, Massachusetts. Of course it had been further expanded to be published as a book, but it was initially a speech.

However, these words especially anchored my feelings and thoughts to this amazing book, and made me hold on to it:

“I hate to give speeches-hate it because I fear it. I stress out for months in advance. What should I write? Why would anyone want to hear what I have to say? What do I have to say anyway? And I imagine every kind of disaster happening. What if I tell a joke and no one laughs. What if I sound like a damn idiot?” (Shriver).

According to the Queens Library, these lessons in the book are nothing new; however, “what make them interesting are the life stories that accompany them and Shriver’s personable, friendly style. Reading this book feels like having a cup of coffee with a wise and funny friend.”

There’s definitely a lot to this book than just listening to some advice. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for reading true words with a blend of laugh and joy.

*WYEE: What Your Employer Expects.