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

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

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

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.

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

But at the same time, I am not willing to compromise my morals - my father really stressed that part.  It isn’t worth being the best if you have to step on someone else, and I totally agree with his ideology.

So, when I was hired to work in healthcare administration, I had my sights set on being the director of the health region.  I knew that it wasn’t going to be an immediate thing by any means, but I knew that I could work my way up to the top, and if I was the best, I could become the director.

I decided that I should make sure to have adequate education and experience so that I would be better qualified someday.  I am enrolled in a school of Health Management where I can further my education while still working.  I know that I have a long road ahead of me, but I will do what I need to succeed - and going to school is one small step on this journey.

Technorati Tags: healthcare administration, Morals, school of health management

Quitting my job and going to cooking school was the best decision I ever made. Tired of being a receptionist at a law firm, I didn’t see the career advancement or joy needed to sustain me throughout my career. After attending cooking school, I used my training from the culinary arts degrees to launch a successful career as a chef. With experience from Culinard, I was offered several different career opportunities and choose the right kitchen and position that suited my personality and my ambition. When I think back to how unhappy I was working at the law firm and how happy I am when I enter the kitchen where I am lead chef, I don’t even recognize the person I used to be. Living my dream at work has led me to fulfill my personal dreams as well.

Technorati Tags: Cooking school, Culinard, culinary arts degrees, Job, law firm

Initially I was worried that I would be inconvenienced by having to get recertified, however, I know these are tough times and those who depend upon us to be up to speed on the latest developments expect that we are going to put in the work and be as smart as we can be.

As I was perusing the memo, I saw there were also some new classes that related to FHA training and thought maybe I would take the opportunity to check deeper into those certifications.

Considering the options that having this additional training might bring to me, I am now seriously going to pursue them. In fact, I imagine that with the successful completion of these and other courses, there is a real possibility of being able to open my open business. Having the licenses and certifications will go a long way towards netting me credibility and acceptance in the community and various social networks. Plus, I’ll be able to join the Chamber of Commerce if I start up my own business.

And I’ve always wanted to do that.

Technorati Tags: FHA Training, Mortgage Training

How would you like this to be your office?

Today is a gorgeous day, and it’s supposed to be like this tomorrow, too.  As a result my husband and I were talking about outdoorsy things to do this weekend.

Both of us sometimes regret having careers that keep us inside at our desks all day — especially living in Colorado, where we often have gorgeous weather we therefore can’t fully enjoy.  The best we can do is try to get done with work a little early — or, in my case, since I am a freelance writer, rearrange my schedule so that I work a little in the evening to give me more free time during the day — so that he can hit the trails with his bike, and I can visit my horse at the barn.

In a perfect world, we both would have gone into careers that took advantage of our outdoorsy inclinations.  That’s why I recommend taking your interests into consideration if you are just now deciding what type of career you want to pursue.  For instance, if you have an interest in golf, perhaps you should attend a golf college so that you can become a golf course operator, a private instructor, or a caddie.  Someone with an interest in animals, on the other hand, could work at a zoo, a park or wildlife preserve, or an animal rescue.

What about you?  Are you the outdoorsy type?  What kind of careers can you think of that would get you outside all or part of the time?

Technorati Tags: caddie, golf college, golf course operator, Rocky Mountain National Park

Is anyone out there really savvy with Dreamweaver extensions?  I have been working for the past month on creating a site for my uncle’s law firm.  His company is a small one based in Phoenix, Arizona and he wanted my help in getting their name out there on the web.  I decided to use Dreamweaver as my web page software after hearing about ecommerce Dreamweaver extensions.  Some of the extensions I have found to be quite useful include a glossary of law terms and a calendar to show customers when they can come in for a free consult with the attorneys.  I borrowed my friend’s PHP solutions book to get some tips on different applications to install on such a site but I am still struggling on how to make it vibrant and fun. 

When it comes to creating a legal website, it’s easy to make it drab and dull but I want to do something to make this page stand out.  Do you have any suggestions?  I want to avoid making it corny with moving graphics and that kind of thing but maybe there is some CSS website builder I can use to give me hints on livening up such a website.  Any tips anyone has or any direction you can point me in for help in bringing this website to life would be greatly appreciated. 

Technorati Tags: CSS website builder, Dreamweaver extensions, ecommerce Dreamweaver extensions, Phoenix, PHP solutions, web page software