Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR
“A raw, insightful memoir—from childhood neglect to Harvard and Big Tech—tenderly baring the underbelly of what we call ‘success.’”
— People
“Nietfeld’s gifts for capturing the fury of living at the mercy of bad circumstances, for critiquing the hero’s journey even while she tells it, make Acceptance a remarkable memoir.”
— New York Times Book Review
Emi Nietfeld is the author of Acceptance (Penguin Press ‘22), a memoir of her journey through foster care and homelessness, interrogating the true meanings of resilience, ambition, and success. After graduating from Harvard in 2015, she worked as a software engineer, an experience she wrote about in her viral New York Times essay, “After Working At Google, I’ll Never Let Myself Love a Job Again.”
She’s passionate about mental health, helping young people navigate their careers, and the connection between engineering and creativity. A dynamic, sought-after speaker, she can be found on podcasts, leading conference keynotes, and speaking at universities and companies.
As a reporter, she writes about fertility and Silicon Valley culture.
Her essays have appeared in New York Magazine. The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and other publications, been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, and noted in The Best American Essays.
About
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Speaking
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Acceptance
The New York Times Book Review called it “a remarkable memoir.” Emi’s therapist called it “a bad idea.” Learn more, get a copy, and decide for yourself.
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Writing
Taught in K-12 classrooms to MFA programs, Emi’s award-winning essays cover mental health, STEM, and the child welfare system — all with her signature snark.
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Speaking
From commencement addresses to corporate campuses Emi brings her humor, authenticity, and vulnerability to keynotes beyond the ordinary.