Around the World

Teens in Laos and Cambodia now have access to the ideas in What Color Is Your Parachute for Teens courtesy of a great organization Digital Divide Data. 

A few months ago, I was contacted by Michael Chertok, Chief Development Officer of Digital Divide Data.  He wanted permission to use parts of "What Color Is Your Parachute for Teens."   Of course, I said yes. 

DDD has now jumped through the hoops to get licensing from the book's publisher, Random House. The Khmer and Lao translations are now being used Laos and Cambodia.

I'm thrilled! There is no more satisfying achievement than to see the ideas and techniques in What Color Is Your Parachute for Teens help teens and young adults around the world finance lives they love through work they enjoy.

Learn more: Digital Divide Data was one of two organizations highlighted in David Bornstein's NYT Fixes column.

   If you'd like to learn about the process of licensing parts of "What Color Is Your Parachute for Teens" for your teen or young adult career development progams, Mr. Chertok's contact info is...

           Michael Chertok, Chief Development Officer, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
                                       +1 212 461 3706 Tel, +1 212 813 3209 Fax

If you would like a copy of either translation, please get in touch with Mr. Chertok or myself, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

And please consider donating to Digital Divide Data.  According to Mr. Chertok, "We depend on donations to support scholarships and to grow our efforts to impact more youth."

Tim Forderer at Cocos Keeling Island School  One of the treats of being an author is to learn the near and far-flung places in which ones book is found.  I met Timothy Forderer through a series of emails.  He is now living his dream as a yacht captain sailing the seas of the southern hemisphere.  Previously, he was one unhappily employed soul.  At his webstite, Do What You Love Mentors (http://dwylmentors.blogspot.com/) you can learn more of his story.

When not working, Captian Forderer doesn't just bask on South Sea island beaches. In a new port-of call, he takes his message about the need to really love what you do for work to local teens.  As he wrote, "The idea that work can be enjoyable, remunerative and give a sense of purpose is completely unheard of."
 

The first edition of What Color Is Your Parachute for Teens exists in English and Dutch. 

As of May, 2010, the rights to translate the book have been sold to publishers in China and Germany.  It's neat to see that interest in teens learning DIY career planning and development is growing around the world.   It will be gratifying to watch translations of the book into different languages come to life. 

If you've used What Color Is Your Parachute for Teens in your school or teen group, please email Carol at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  She'd love to feature your program, and pictures of some the participants in this space.