Great gifts for New Grads

College commencement season is here again, but for many soon-to-be graduates, it’s a time to both celebrate and prepare. With the job market still challenging and national student loan debt now at $1.77 trillion–beating credit card debt for the first time–new grads face real financial hurdles.

Help new alums find their footing by selecting graduation gifts that will help them get a smart start in the real world.

• Money

  The old standby still makes a perfect gift. Giving cash can provide graduates with an opportunity to start paying back student loans and other forms of debt.

• Gift Cards

  If you have a more specific use for your gift in mind, opt for a gift card. Gift cards for grocery stores, gas stations, and department stores all can help graduates with day-to-day necessities.

• Résumé or Career Services
  

  Students often have access to career advising through their schools, but that benefit can expire upon graduation. Gifting new grads with a similar service can keep them on track to finding a job.

• A Lifetime of Learning

  Consider a year subscription to the online learning platform, MasterClass. This will enable them to explore new subject and learn from people like Martin Scorsese, and Bill Clinton.

• Digital Magazine or Newspaper Subscriptions

  Consider a digital subscription to a trade publication within the graduate’s area of study or a newspaper like The Times or The Wall Street Journal. Both can help grads stay up to date on current events around the world and within their professional field.

• Interview Attire

  Select a gift card to a store where your new grad can buy a suit or organize a shopping trip to help him or her put together a winning wardrobe.

• Meditation App
  

  Help the new grad transition to campus life, by giving them a little calm with a year subscription to a meditation app. Headspace or Calm are both good options. They have wonderful selections of courses that aim to combat stress and insomnia, as well as meditations with goals especially useful for grads, like managing work stress and improving creativity.

• Meal Kit Subscription

  This is the gift that keeps on giving! It will not only teach your grad to cook, but also enjoy eating well too! There are various options to choose from like EveryPlate, or HelloFresh.

• Moving Services

  If your graduate is packing up and moving on for work or other new opportunities, contributing to a truck rental or additional moving services can cut costs.

• Roth IRA (individual retirement account)

  New graduates don’t always have the time or resources to plan for retirement, so opening a Roth IRA is an excellent way to put them in the saving mindset. Your credit union can help you learn more about Roth IRAs and set up an account for the new grad.

• Credit union membership
  

  If your new graduate isn’t already a member of your credit union, extend the full-family membership benefit for an ideal start with safe, affordable financial services and coaching.