For those who are still sulking about the retirement of HBO's Sex and the City, author Wendy Straker may have just the thing to fill the Sunday night void.
But instead of watching four New York women search for the perfect relationship, reading about how to find the perfect job using the rules of dating might be just as addictive.
Yesterday afternoon, students flocked to the Penn Bookstore to hear Straker discuss her newest book -- Sexy Jobs in the City: How to Find Your Dream Job Using the Rules of Dating -- and get a few inside tips on how to start a career in the hottest industries.
In her book, Straker breaks down what she calls the "sexiest" industries in the working world -- fashion, film, TV, music, magazines, publicity, advertising, broadcast journalism and the Internet -- and compares the daunting deed of entering these fields to the same uneasiness one may feel as they search for the perfect companion.
"I used the analogy of dating to set the reader up with different industries," Straker said. "Like in dating, you hope there is chemistry. It's a whole process of finding out what's out there, which relationships work for you and which don't."
Straker's book includes discussion of the ins and outs of each business, the salaries and the job opportunities, as well as candid interviews with some of the most successful writers, designers and producers in the business.
She attributes the idea for her book to her own personal struggles in the career field. Straker started out in TV production and has since then worked in advertising, book publishing and magazines.
"I came up with the idea after graduating from the University of Wisconsin," Straker said. "I was disheartened with the working world and had trouble finding my direction."
Director of Marketing for the Penn Bookstore Christine Hibbard organized the event and thought the book would resonate well with students who are struggling to find a career path.
"I thought it was really interesting how she looked at fields that are difficult to get into and [that] people don't know a lot about," Hibbard said. Straker's book "is the kind of thing I wish I had a number of years ago when I was in college looking for jobs."
Straker discussed her challenges in writing the book and gave advice to audience members about the exploration necessary to find their dream job.
"Many jobs and dates are trials," Straker said. No experience "is ever a waste because the next time you apply or go on a date, you have a new perspective."
Students came to the event eager to share concerns and ask questions about breaking into these industries, and most enjoyed hearing Straker's advice.
"I thought it would be an interesting way to learn more without going to another panel," Wharton sophomore Lisa Coutinho said. "I like how she said her past jobs gave her experiences that would help her in the future."
College freshman April Hail also attended the event and spoke with Straker afterwards. "I am interested in exploring options for careers, and a lot of the industries in her book are very creative," Hail said.
