From the Archives: Book Review: 50 Jobs in 50 States

(Originally published on Travel Books and Movies on 4 July 2015) It’s July 4th and in the United States of America that means Independence Day—a day of sunshine, swimming pools, barbecues, red, white, and blue, and the celebration of our freedoms. In honor of that special day, we’re going to explore the United States with Daniel Seddiqui who traveled to all 50 states in search of the American dream—a job.

Despite having been a college athlete and graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in Economics, Seddiqui couldn’t find a job. He struggled to make ends meet working odd jobs while volunteer coaching and dealing with the pressures of his parents. During one especially depressing moment, he strikes upon the idea to take on one stereotypical job in each of the 50 states: “There was so much to the country that I hadn’t yet seen, and as I tried to find a career path that was the best match for my own personality and interests, there was still so much left to discover.”

In 50 Jobs in 50 States: One Man’s Journey of Discovery Across America, Seddiqui takes us on his journey around the country as he discovers the differences—and similarities—in the people, places, and positions around the country.

Throughout his journey of fascinating work (including being a meatpacker in Kansas, a bartender in Louisiana, and a wedding coordinator in Nevada), he sees both the physical beauty of the country and the beauty of its people:

“I realized all America has to offer. From living at a resort in South Carolina to sleeping in the back of my Jeep through bitterly cold nights to passing out from exhaustion every afternoon in a bamboo cottage on a Hawaiian beach, I had been there. Singing in a Baptist choir, riding a buggy with the Amish, and walking on stilts at a theme park — I had done that. I had dug up artifacts and learned about America’s history; I waded in rivers and learned about its resources; I met our country’s people and found its lifeblood. That’s where the true discovery lies. At the heart of my journey, I learned about people.”

His story is interesting and inspiring, but despite his hard work at all of his jobs, I’m afraid writing isn’t one of his strong suits—it’s often stilted and disjointed, leaving me wanting more. And since his project is so unique and different and attracts media attention throughout his journey, I sometimes felt that he acted entitled when working with employers—expecting exceptions to trainings and certifications, demanding more than menial work, and becoming annoyed when they didn’t show him “kindness or consideration.”

While the drawbacks are distracting, they’re not enough to take away from the book’s promise—a book that explores America and all that it has to offer. In fact, Seddiqui’s experience is quite symbolic of the United States—a variety of landscapes, interesting jobs, kind people, hard work and perseverance can all come together. As he finishes his last job at a wine cellar in California, he reflects on its journey: “On my odyssey, I experienced our nation one state at a time, one job at a time, one family at a time. Like a surf instructor riding out the wave, or a lobsterman reaching the shore, or a miner coming out of the cave, I made my last check of the wine cellar and walked out toward the sunlight. I took off my hat and took in a deep breath. Land of opportunity, I thought. No doubt about it.”