by Joey Flores
Every year, the Dr. Seuss classic “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” sells close to 300,000 copies, primarily because it’s one of the most popular high school and college graduation gifts in the US. Thanks, Mom, Dad and Grandma! Now, I can go off into the world and achieve! No offense to the Dr., but here are 5 real graduation gifts – for the millions of college graduates entering the worst job market in decades – that are bound to be more helpful than a book written for 3rd graders:
1. A Subscription to a Business or Trade Magazine: Did your proud graduate just get a degree in marketing? Get them an annual subscription to AdWeek for $299 (adweek.com). How about a finance degree? Forbes (Forbes.com). Chiropractic? Consider Pathways Magazine (pathwaystofamilywellness.org). Electronic Engineering? Try Popular Mechanics (PopularMechanics.com). Any of these or other focused magazines is sure to help them more with their post-graduation challenges than Horton Hears a Who.
2. The YSN Premium Career Planner: Based on the NY Times bestselling book Secrets of the Young & Successful, YSN’s scientific self-assessment tells your graduate more about themselves than any college career counselor can. At $29, or $49 bundled with the bestselling book, the Premium Report provides them with cutting-edge tools to help them interview like a pro, set and track their goals, and much more. YSN has even made a “Sponsor My Success” graduation gift version, so you can print a certificate or email them the certificate online. Don’t let your graduate go from cap and gown to fast food uniform. They do not want that, Sam I Am.
3. Business Cards: These days, everyone entering or advancing in the business world needs something to hand the people they meet. Good quality business cards can be the difference between a chance business encounter and the job, partnership or mentorship opportunity of a lifetime. From sites like 123Print.com, you can get 1000 business cards on recycled paper for $39.99. From Vistaprint, you can get 80% OFF Premium Business Cards which includes FREE return address labels as well. Since you probably won’t know exactly what to print on them, a gift certificate is likely the way to go. Just make sure it’s enough to cover shipping, too. Nobody likes a Grinch.
4. Business Clothes: Although most kids don’t want Grandma picking out their clothes (no offense, Grandma!), real business attire is a must for people who need to start interviewing in this tough job market. As a graduation gift, take them out for a day of shopping or get them a gift certificate. For guys, Brooks Brothers (BrooksBrothers.com) or Banana Republic (BananaRepublic.Gap.com) are a safe bet. For ladies, Macy’s (Macys.com) or Express (EXPRESS.com) ought to do the trick. Just make sure they know it’s for business clothes, not so they can look like The Cat in the Hat.
5. A Smart Phone: Nowadays, a Blackberry (Blackberry.com) or iPhone (apple.com/iphone) can do everything from make a call (who knew?) to give you directions around a traffic accident while reminding you that you only have 10 minutes till your interview. Email, appointment setting, internet access, and more, are all available with today’s handhelds. But, make sure you get one that works with your graduate’s phone service. They’ll thank you for it. Without these handy features, your graduate’s likely to show up for the interview sometime after Yertle the Turtle.
So, to those of you who still have that hankering for a good rhyme but know that your graduate will need more than fancy word play to succeed, we’ll leave you with this:
Picking out a gift can be tough. Your kid’s done with school and they’ve had quite enough.
You can get them a book; how to fish, how to cook; but that won’t make their life less rough.
That’s why books made for kids are no good. They don’t help out your grad like other gifts could.
So help reduce stress; give the gift of success; and be the parent and or loved one you should!
planetc1.com-news @ 1:08 pm | Article ID: 1244059761
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