Graduating from college is a big deal — the start of a new life, for many people. Your favorite graduate therefore deserves a special gift to honor this important and memorable time in their lives.
But what to get them? Many different sites online proclaim that they have the best possible graduation gifts, but who are you going to trust?
Here are a few ideas for honoring your graduate’s special day.
- Frame their diploma or graduation picture for them. This is a great way to surprise a graduate with a gift they can cherish. You can find a variety of stately college diploma frames online, or just find a classy frame suitable for a formal graduation picture.
- A memory book. A memory book or scrapbook filled with favorite photos are great gifts for graduates, no matter who you are. The parents could make a memory book full of photos of their graduate at each stage of his or her life, while friends could include photos of all the fun times they’ve had together, whether in college or out.
- Money. Perhaps it sounds too average to you, but in truth most graduates could really use some money. From here on out, they are supposed to be supporting themselves, but especially in this economy, they may not find a job right away. Gift money could provide a cushion during the interim, or even help them start a professional wardrobe when they do get a job.
Finding the perfect gift for your graduate can be a challenge, but it is important nonetheless. This is the end of one chapter of their life and the beginning of another, so don’t let it pass unnoticed!
Technorati Tags: college diploma frames, graduation picture frame, scrapbook
My sister’s choices have taken an interesting — and rather unexpected — turn lately. After years of an ambitious career at one of our nation’s top banks, in which she earned serious promotions before ever getting her bachelor’s and then received financial help getting her MBA, this summer my sister got married, quit her job, and is now looking for a house to buy (still unemployed) with her new husband.
She says she is looking for a new career, and has pursued ideas such as pursuing a mortgage education or being a wine consultant for a local vineyard, but so far has put much more effort into finding a house than finding a job. Her bridal party was betting after the wedding how long it would be before she and her new hubby got pregnant, and now it seems that those who said sooner rather than later may have been right.
Personally, I’m appalled at how much this relationship has apparently changed her. For, oh, something like six years she’s been in that job, and was quite ambitious about moving up in the company. Suddenly she’s in a relationship with a fairly traditional guy, and now she quits?
In any case, I’m glad she did finish her degrees. No matter what career decisions you make, always be sure you leave the option open to go a different route if you change your mind later on.
Technorati Tags: mortgage education, NMLS education, wine consultant
I think it’s important for all people to know what’s going on in the industry in which they work. The best way to do this is to stay abreast of the news that is being published about your industry. You should stay on top of mainstream news as well as the news coming from blogs, industry journals and other sources.
For example, if you work in the culinary arts then you should make it a habit to read what is going on with the world of cooking. Learn about the hottest culinary school graduates. Find out what the trends are among the newest restaurants that are opening in popular cities. Find out what people are saying about the type of cooking utensils that you use or the type of restaurant you run.
The people who come to you as customers are reading this news. You need to know what they know. This allows you to meet and even exceed their expectations. It also allows you to put any negative ideas they may get from the media to rest. You can’t do this is you’re not on top of industry news yourself. Make it part of your daily routine to read your industry’s news.
Technorati Tags: Culinary Arts, culinary school
I’m only half-joking when I pose the question in this title. As it turns out, getting enrolled in some kind of online business program is a great move if you’ve got your sights set on working in the business world and moving up the corporate ladder. In fact, unless you’re already the CEO, or were born into a family that owns a business, I’d say it’s nearly impossible to move up the ladder without acquiring an advanced degree, whether it’s through a degree program, or from attending a brick and mortar university for the same type of degree. The corporate world has always featured cutthroat competition, and in the current troubled economy, it’s only going to get tougher to survive and thrive there.
That’s why I think it’s imperative to keep learning, keep honing your skills, whether you’re getting an MBA or participating in some other kind of online masters program that’s related to your company’s field of endeavor. I do think it’s a good idea to get an college degree so that you can do it at your own convenience and so you won’t have to neglect your work by taking time off. It’s more important than ever that your employer feels that you’re totally focused on doing your job well at the same time that you’re acquiring new skills.
If you have spent a lot of time, work, and money getting your degree, chances are you will want to display your diploma in a manner that symbolizes its importance in your life. The best way to do this is to put it in a college diploma frame and hang it on your wall.
First of all, you need to choose an appropriate frame. There are lots of diploma frames to choose from, so this can seem like an overwhelming undertaking. I recommend staying away from the frames you find for sale at places such as Wal-Mart — they are typically pretty cheap, and will devalue the importance of your degree and the work you put into it.
You should be able to find a framing store in your area, or you could shop for a high-quality frame online. You can even sometimes find diploma frames with your school’s name on them in your campus bookstore. Wherever you get your frame, though, you can easily do the framing yourself.
Putting your diploma in an oversized frame and matting it can also look very good. Most hobby stores will have a variety of pre-cut matting to choose from, or you can buy matting and cut it yourself. When I was a kid, my mom even used to mat old prints using vintage ribbon and fabric.
Whatever matting you choose, or if you choose any at all, make sure that everything you put into the frame is acid-free. This includes the matting and whatever paper you use as backing. Acid-free paper will prevent your diploma from turning brown with time. You also might want to consider getting glass that is coated with something to protect your diploma from UV light.
Technorati Tags: acid-free, college diploma frame, diploma frames
