College graduation is coming up, and after last weekend working with 21 students in Michigan through our Governor’s Economic Summit I have been thinking a lot about what I experienced and ways in which all of us can invest in someone starting a career. While high school graduations might compel us to get something like Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss, college is a little different. Here are three books that would be great gifts for a new grad to help them to success in their first job and connect you with that success:
LinchPin by Seth Godin: A little longer, but is focused on helping people be purposeful about building their brand and reputation through their work. It is a good balance between practical advice and thinking bigger.
Great On The Job by Jodi Glickman: This book is targeted at college students. I have also used some of the advice Jodi gives (especially around getting feedback) with some of the mid/late career transition individuals I coach through Shifting Gears, but she targets the new grad. Our governor is actually giving a signed copy to each student from our recent summit.
Effective Immediately by Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg: I am preparing to review this book and share my thoughts through my TruTips, but in advance I also like this book. It differs from Jodi’s book in that it provides lots of 1 page tips for individuals. How I would make this a great gift would be for you to write a note that identified your top 5 and pledge to be a mentor as they read and use this in their first job.
There are other books new professionals should read, but hold off until they get a job. I actually like one of the chapters in Effective Immediately where the authors give them a list of books to keep in their cubicle and to read. The great thing about all of these books is they are focused on helping them be successful, and coupled with a pledge from you of some time to read it with them/mentor them – this actually become a great gift.
