Here is a list of resources I used in creating my “Do What You Love” presentation for teen (and adult) unschoolers. Most of these are also things that I’ve found valuable in my own life as an entrepreneur and life-long learner. Enjoy!
Hacking Your Education: Ditch the Lectures, Save Tens of Thousands, and Learn More than Your Peers Ever Will by Dale J. Stephens. A great book with lots of practical, hands-on tips on how to expand your education during the college-age years, without traditional classrooms (and all the debt associated with the four-year degree).
Also check out Stephens’ website, uncollege.org
College Without High School: A Teenager’s Guide to Skipping High School and Going to College by Blake Boles. An excellent book, even if you’re not positive you want to go to college. He shares many ideas for pursuing your interests and following where they lead, while describing what you do in ways that make sense to schools and employers.
Better Than College: How to Build a Successful Life Without a Four-Year Degree by Blake Boles. I haven’t actually read this one yet, but based on Boles’ previous book and his top-notch reputation, I feel good about recommending it. I look forward to reading it myself soon.
Boles’ website is also a useful resource.
What Color is Your Parachute? for Teens: Discovering Yourself, Defining Your Future by Carol Christen and Richard N. Bolles. This book is geared more towards mainstream public-schooled teens, but there are useful tools for both discovering your passions and translating them into existing jobs and careers.
Book Power by Kytka Hilmar-Jezek. I highly recommend this book for anyone, of any age, interested in becoming an entrepreneur. Easy-to-follow advice for building an authentic, successful business based around your interests. She is an unschooling Mom, and her family’s website is called Be More Than You Are.
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss. While I didn’t follow his formula for success exactly as I had philosophical differences with some of it, I did find a lot of great tips and ideas. His website has plenty of resources, along with information about his other books, which I haven’t read yet.
The Teenage Liberation Handbook by Grace Llewellyn. A bit outdated, I admit, but a classic. You’re guaranteed to find some inspiration somewhere in its pages.
Homeschooling the Teen Years by Cafi Cohen. This book is focused more on traditional homeschooling than unschooling, but there are many useful resources to be discovered, as well as shared wisdom from families who have “been there, done that.”
Christine Kane is a high-powered entrepreneur (and singer-songwriter) who has built her business around helping others succeed. Her for-pay programs are pricey (though I believe they are most likely worth every penny), but she shares lots of useful and inspiring free information and goodies on her blog.
I plan to update this list as I explore further and learn more. In the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me anytime. Good luck on your journey!