The concept of the Bonkers Book of Jobs is close to 10 years old now. Back then Complete-Careers Partners Mark Wilkinson and John Ambrose were in the process of being made redundant from jobs in career development they both valued. Redundancy can bring about a whole range of feelings and emotions and both Mark and John remained passionate and committed to career development but wanted to try a completely different approach – The Bonkers Book of Jobs was born!
It is hard to think positively about careers, while exiting a career development role. This was back in 2014/15 when careers had hit an all time low point in national policy in England and careers education was no longer statutory. Mark and John wanted to find a way to inspire children, but to try to reach them directly, rather than through the conventional school curriculum.
The pair had great fun brainstorming what the book concept could achieve. At the centre of the book dispels a myth that all work is dull and boring and exposes a truth that adults are heading out to work and having a great time every single day! Accountants are bringing down gangsters, police officers are driving at high speeds and tazering people, while beauticians are inflicting pain through waxing and other procedures!
The Bonkers Book of Job chapters explore 36 different career paths:
- From the smelliest jobs in the world to the scariest
- From the evillest to the most disgusting
- From the funniest jobs to the tastiest
Through narrative, activities and quizzes the reader will discover how much people earn, what level of qualification is needed and future job prospects. The new edition has QR codes linking to video clips, facts, free online games and at the end of the book there is a bonkers self-assessment for the reader based on Holland’s profiling.
Mark and John were thrilled when Candy Jar publishers accepted the manuscript and published the book. The pair love to talk about the book, the concept and the jobs that it features. The idea even got them to the BBC headquarters to pitch a gameshow idea back in 2020!
Bonkers is fun and engaging, but it also challenges stereotypes, broadening horizons and raising aspirations along the way. The team at Complete-Careers have developed lesson plans to use alongside the book and we have negotiated an agreement with the publisher to sell the PDF to schools so that it can be accessible to all children and used in the curriculum.
Why not get a copy to use with your own children, nephews, nieces and grandchildren to help explain a bit more about the great work you do in career development and share the fun with them? https://complete-careers.com/bonkers-book-of-jobs/