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14 May |
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3:52 pm Posted by Kristy |
Books make great gifts as sources of inspiration for the upcoming graduation season. If you anticipate receiving a few graduation invitations this month and next, consider giving the grad a meaningful book. Such a gift helps keep reading central to a graduate’s new independent life.
Choose from among perennial favorites or recent bestsellers. We’ve compiled a brief list of some of the classics, one newcomer from the world of sports, as well as popular business bios.
Classic Reads
You could go with a fun allegorical classic, like Oh The Places You’ll Go, by Dr. Seuss. This book’s message about staying the course and staying true to yourself works well for students of all ages, but is especially appealing to teens bridging adolescence and adulthood.
Another classic choice is What Color is Your Parachute, now in it’s fortieth edition, but has been almost wholly rewritten. Touted as “the world’s most popular job-hunting book,” this books is a practical career guide for anyone trying to figure out how to earn a living from their talents and passions.
Sporting Heroes
You could look into the world of sports, brimming with poignant stories of individuals overcoming obstacles in order to achieve some goal. The best ones also provide some philosophy for living life well in the face of adversity. Once such book is A Life Without Limits: A World Champion’s Journey, by Chrissie Wellington, who came out of nowhere to win the Ironman Triathalon in 2007.
Business Bios
Finally, for the college grad whose path is business, a biography on a modern-day business hero like Warren Buffett or Steve Jobs would be an inspiring choice in the midst of so much scandal elsewhere. Their stories on life and leadership are ultra-American and highly optimistic. Either Roger Lowensteins Buffet: The Making of an American Capitalist or the more recent tome by Alice Shroeder written with Buffett’s exclusive cooperation, The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life, and Walter Isaacson’s Steve Jobs biography are all good choices.
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18 May |
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5:01 am Posted by Kristy |
Graduation season is in full swing at many college campuses around the country. This year’s grads enter a precarious job market, and the jury is still out as to which direction the economy, and therefore job hiring, will go for them.
If you have a graduation announcement or graduation party invitation in hand, think a bit beforehand about constructive things you might ask of a 2011 graduate’s future. Avoid questions that put a graduate in a defensive position, or worse, sew doubt at a time when they deserve to enjoy their achievement.
In an article published in the May issue of Real Simple, “5 Things You Shouldn’t Say To a Recent College Graduate,” real-life experts weigh in on the doubt, insecurity and defensiveness certain commonly asked questions create in a grad’s mind. They offer some alternatives instead:
What can you do with THAT degree? A classic! Often asked of the liberal arts graduate, a better question would be: “What have you learned that will help you do what you enjoy?” Also noted should be the fact that today’s ever-evolving job market provides opportunities for progressive thinking, entrepreneurial, adaptable grads who are willing to think critically and creatively.
You should go to Law School. Pretty presumptuous. The thing is, a lot of law schools can’t be sure just how many of their first-year students are there simply because they haven’t figured out what else to do. It’s an expensive way to go. Unless you yourself are a lawyer basking in the passion of your work, better not suggest something you didn’t do either.
Do you have a job lined up? Only a small percentage of college seniors, historically mostly finance majors, find themselves employed at matriculation. A better question might be what kind of networking they are doing to see if you can be of help.
The economy has been bad before. You’ll get through it. Such sugar-coating doesn’t help an eager grad anxious to launch a career. The article suggests focusing on what they can control, such as their professional image on social media networking sites like LinkedIn.
My [fill-in-the-blank] relative just got out of college and she’s doing great! The next part of the question would be: “so what are YOU doing wrong?” Listening to someone else’s fabulous story really only serves to make a grad feel a bit like a loser. Balance well-meaning success stories with stories of struggle to acknowledge reality.
With thoughtfulness and consideration for the changing world and uncertain job market, your recognition of a college graduate’s achievement and support of their future endeavors, whatever they may be, is really all that’s needed!
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