Finding only 1 job in this economy isn't very easy ; imagine trying to find 50. That's what Daniel Seddiqui did after getting refused from countless interviews after graduating from USC. He traveled the country searching for work, and ended up working one job in each state for one week. He writes about his journey in his new book, 50 Roles in 50 States : One Man’s Journey of Discovery Across America (Berrett-Koehler Publishers). Before embarking on his trip, Daniel decided that he wasn't going to chase just any job. His goal was to not only to explore different careers, and additionally to explore the country – so he sought jobs that mirrored the culture and economy of each state.

Working the classic profession of each state, he received a legitimate taste of what America was truly about. Among many roles he worked, he changed into a cheese maker in Wisconsin, a hydrologist in Colorado, a surfing instructor in Hawaii, and a meatpacker in Kansas. “[Being a meatpacker] was certainly my most uncomfortable job,” he says. Best job : a tie between stilt-walking as an entertainer at Universal Studios, Florida, and patrolling the border in Arizona. The book chronicles all sides of his journey – from adjusting to the unique demands of each job and the wildly differing cultures and environments, to his private introspection and self-growth along the way. In every state, Daniel met folks who were content to give him a job based primarily on no experience, and formed friendships with locals who were enthusiastic to hear his stories and share their own. He encountered folks who faced the same predicament he was in, from scholars anxious about choosing the proper major in university to mid-career professionals endeavoring to make a job change in a desolate economy.

He has parlayed his experience into a motivational talking career, and speaks at venues ranging from highschools to senior centres. “Don’t fear failure, but embrace it – it can cause sudden places,” he is saying.