Here's some advice on making yourself valuable at work from the book "How to Survive Your First Job (or Any Job)" (Hundreds of Heads Books,  $14.95), straight from people who've done it:

“The best way to build your skills after college is to join professional organizations in your field. I’m a new foreign language teacher, and I’ve joined two groups: a state association of foreign language teachers and a local council for foreign language educators. The organizations hold conferences and forums where I can meet other members of my field and exchange tips and materials that help me become a better teacher.”

— Ellen Stenzel, Rochester, N.Y.

“As a teacher, my bachelor’s degree doesn’t mean anything if I don’t attend seminars, conferences, and professional development presentations, and get a master’s degree in a specialty area. It’s all about reaching your full potential.”

“I work in animation production. I deal with several software programs, and I have the challenge of learning new ones all the time. Reading QuickStart guides helps, and I call people who are experts in the program for advice. I don’t turn down the opportunity to learn a new program, but I may tell my boss that it will take me some time to get up to speed. Recently, I taught myself iMovie on the fly and worked for three days until 11 p.m. to finish a promotional trailer. My hard work paid off because the piece was used at the launch of our new show, and it was shown in front of about 200 executives at the network I work for. That felt great.”

“Learn a second language. Companies are looking for Spanish-speaking employees.”

“Always be on the lookout for ways to learn new skills. I started out doing editorial work for a publishing company, but it was a bit dull for me. I always wondered what was going on up on the marketing floor. I asked my boss to introduce me to the head of the marketing department, who spent time with me explaining what his group did. I ended up taking classes at night and ultimately pursuing a career in marketing.”

— Nancy A. Shenker, Thornwood, N.Y.

If you don’t know something, don’t make it up. You’ll get called on it!”

— Anonymous, St. Louis

Hundreds of Heads Books’ survival guides offer the wisdom of the masses by assembling the experiences and advice of hundreds of people who have gone through life’s biggest challenges and have insight to share.