In Choosing the Unmarked Road, Cohen chronicles his unorthodox fifty-five year career as a community psychologist. He describes the wide assortment of positions he held, ranging from working at small start-up not-for-profit agencies to serving as associate commissioner at a large state mental health agency. While the challenges he faced in each position were different, his approach was consistent. In each situation, he employed the tools and social ecology perspective of community psychology to help communities navigate the complex dynamics
Recognizing that communities come in all shapes and sizes, Cohen worked to strengthen communities within organizations as well as geographic entities. His interest in enhancing safety and well-being motivated him to work at the state and federal level as well as local groups and government agencies.
In addition to charting his career and providing numerous examples of his efforts to strengthen communities, Cohen also explores why a sense of community is important for him personally and how his own development contributed to his decision to pursue this unique career path.