Comments on: Heroines of Personal Finance and Entrepreneurship #3: Alexandra Levit

By: Looking for the Right Job After College? Alex Levit Provides Some Answers » Thrilling Heroics

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:13:37 +0000

[...] If you enjoyed this interview with Alex, you might also be interested to read more from my past interview with her for IWillTeachYouToBeRich.com. [...]

By: Cody McKibben

Cody McKibben — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:46:06 +0000

Also, if anyone has any suggestions for experts to interview, go ahead and connect them with Ramit or myself. cody at codymckibben dot com.

By: Interview with Alexandra Levit, Author of They Don’t Teach Corporate In College : THRILLING|heroics

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 14:22:59 +0000

[...] reading at IWillTeachYouToBeRich.com: Heroines of Personal Finance and Entreprenuership #3: Alexandra Levit. Also pick up her book They Don’t Teach Corporate in College and check out her blog Water Cooler [...]

By: Alexandra Levit

Alexandra Levit — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 02:56:42 +0000

Hi everyone, just wanted to pop in and say thanks for all of the great comments on the interview. It’s been a wonderful experience working with Cody and Ramit, and if you’d like to contact me directly to ask me questions about how I’ve managed my finances, or anything else, please feel free to do so. Best, Alexandra

By: serpah

serpah — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:53:29 +0000

I like the references and facts in this interview.

By: Cooper

Cooper — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:19:03 +0000

I wish that college and even high school counseling and career offices would promote books like Levit’s more. I grew up in a blue-collar family that forced its way into the middle class through smart investing and saving and good luck. My parents understood the value of education, and covered all of my educational expenses, even my college tuition and living costs. However, I often find myself wishing that I had more non-judgmental family members or family friends in professional and technical fields to advise me about my career. Sure, I have a young supervisor and a few good contacts from my college, but I feel afraid that if I ask too many dumb questions, it might lower their opinion of me, or worse, negatively affect their recommendation letters for me. Books like these are a low-risk way for me to get a “feel” for the professional world.

I also think this kind of book is especially helpful for women, since we women who grew up in non-professional households and communities often didn’t have access to female mentors and role-models in careers similar to the ones that interested us. The vast majority of women I knew before college were homemakers, or workers in “pink-collar” jobs like elementary education, day-care, secretarial jobs, etc. Knowing that there are women out there who are serious about advancing in the professional world and taking control of their finances is a tremendous relief if you’re growing up in a community where some women consider this behavior masculine or bitchy.

Heh, I guess I’ve given a lot of praise considering I’ve never read the book!

By: Cody McKibben

Cody McKibben — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:51:29 +0000

Thanks for the comments guys. I know I have a little different style than what you’re used to with Ramit…Right now I’m just trying to get a picture of these women’s backgrounds and what their expertise is–each of them has knowledge that will shed light on a different piece of the puzzle.

I assure you, very soon we will feature the round table discussion with five of our expert panelists and we will hear quite a bit more about women and their personal finances.

Barbara, thanks for your comment. I’m currently an employee with a few projects on the side, but I’m a big advocate of entrepreneurship as well and I think I agree with you. I like to encourage everyone to believe they have it in them to make it on their own. But, at the same time Alexandra has a point in that the majority of people will end up working for others, not having others work for them.

Thanks guys. Please keep tuning in–I promise you’ll enjoy. =)

By: Barbara Winter

Barbara Winter — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:23:36 +0000

As a self-employment advocate, I take issue with the comment that being an entrepreneur is costly, never-wracking and incredibly hard work. Of course, it can be all those things, but most of the self-employed people I work with are joyful, creative and wondering why it took them so long to figure out that they could work for themselves doing something they love. The myth that self-employment is tough or only for a few exists because our culture has taught us to be employees. Consequently, we don’t know much about thinking like an entrepreneur. The good news is that we can learn to see opportunities, create bootstrapping businesses, and, even make a contribution to solving the problems of our very messy society. And not everyone has to endure years in corporate life before striking out on their own.

By: Preeti

Preeti — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 08:54:29 +0000

I was very exicted when I came to know that you are going to start personal finance series for women.

I have liked your past articles in the series. But..

I would like to hear more about managing personal finance rather than knowing just about books and their authors. Or you can tell us how these ladies(authors) are managing their finance.

What say?

By: topseekrit

topseekrit — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:47:58 +0000

I love these past few blogs about women and entrepreneurship, but I think we need just a tad bit more variety outside of writers, authors, consultants, don’t you think?