SELF UNIVERSITY

Self University

Charles D. Hayes

Autodidactic Press, 1989

For those who are self-educated or lacking

proper credentials in their chosen career area,

this is a book whose value can not be

underestimated. Mr. Hayes explains clearly

and expertly how you can educate yourself for

continuing career success, and how to document

your training and work experiences for a

prospective employer.

You needn't be ashamed of your lack of

credentials, nor despair that you'll need to

spend years in a traditional university

charging exorbitant fees, getting the education

you need. The author tells you how to create

your own university that will empower you for

life. Best of all, the materials are easily

accessible and the costs are very small.

The book is divided into four parts:

Part one explores the ways we are taught,

how we are influenced by the media, and how

this affects the way we behave and the attitudes

that we form. Our attitudes about intelligence,

creativity, expertise and genius ultimately affect

the way we assess our own unique skills and abilities.

Part two gives an excellent overview of human behavior,

motivation, life stages, the search for meaning in life,

sociology and management skills.

Part three dissects "credentialism" and shows why

it often protects the incompetent, restricts

opportunities, and creates stumbling blocks in

obtaining employment. It also discusses

future trends, the role of technology in the work

place and the humanization of technology.

Part four is a potpourri of practical advice in

several areas including how to evaluate if you

should go back to school, how to create your own

credentials, and ways to improve your memory.

The chapters are:

Why We Are the Way We Are

Media and Manipulation

Self-Knowledge

The Personal Sciences

Motivation

The People Sciences

The Methodology of Inquiry

Understanding Credentialism

The Possibilities of Tomorrow

Practicum

Practicum in the Workplace

I love this book! It is written in such a way that it

gets you thinking "outside the box," questioning and

evaluating how you were taught to learn, think, and behave

to fit into society. We are propagandized and made to

conform in more ways and in a far more subtle fashion than

you realize! All of those external forms of manipulation

have an impact on how we view our skills and abilities and

affect the way we educate ourselves, work and structure our

lives. Definitely get this book and read it -- more than once!

This article is an excerpt from my 2001 book, Make Your Kid A Genius! (Tools to Maximize Your Child’s Potential from the Womb Through College.) You can obtain a free copy in the "downloads" section of my website at http://www.irenehelenzundel.com