How to Navigate Life: The New Science of Finding Your Way in School, Career, and Beyond

Boston College psychology professor Liang and clinical therapist Klein debut with a thoughtful guide for mentors—be they parents, teachers, or others—on how to set up young people for academic and professional success. Holding up the Varsity Blues admissions scandal as a cautionary tale, the authors warn parents against viewing life as a game to be won and advocate for adopting a “purpose mindset” that values a balanced pursuit of “outward success” and personal gratification. Liang and Klein encourage mentors to identify and nurture their students’ natural talents, which might manifest as creativity on TikTok or collaboration in multiplayer video games. A young person’s values can help them find a niche, the authors contend, providing a questionnaire to assess whether someone privileges individualism over collectivism and to match them to creative and independent roles (people the authors deem “trailblazers”) or routine and communal ones (“guardians”). Liang and Klein also proffer “toolkits” that provide questions and scripts to help mentors connect with mentees. The thorough and systematic advice prioritizes the cultivation of responsibility and independent critical thinking in young people, adding up to a lucid antidote to snowplow parenting. Practical and wise in equal measure, this hits the mark. (Aug.)