College is not just about getting a degree. It’s also about preparing yourself for life after college. With that in mind, there are certain books that every student should read before they graduate to help them gain the knowledge and skills they need to be successful. From understanding the basics of business to developing an entrepreneurial spirit, these books, recommended by Ian Leaf, will provide students with the tools they need to thrive after college.
Table of Contents
“The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People” By Stephen R. Covey
Released over 30 years ago, this book remains relevant today as a guide for building strong personal habits that help people achieve their goals and objectives. The book contains seven core principles that, when implemented, help individuals reach success in their professional and personal lives. The seven habits include being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, putting first things first, thinking win-win situations, seeking to understand then be understood, synergizing perspectives, and sharpening the saw.
With practical advice on making better decisions and solving problems effectively, this classic work is a must-read for any college graduate looking to build a successful life after graduation.
“Rich Dad Poor Dad” By Robert Kiyosaki
This book is an essential read for anyone who is looking to get ahead financially after college. Kiyosaki shares his story of growing up with two different dads—one wealthy and one poor—and how this shaped his views on money and success. He also gives readers practical advice on managing their finances, investing wisely, and building wealth over time.
“Think And Grow Rich” By Napoleon Hill
This book is perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs or innovators looking to make a splash in the business world after college. Hill lays out a series of steps that readers can take toward achieving success in their chosen field by building self-confidence, utilizing creative thinking techniques, setting specific goals, and taking actionable steps toward achieving those goals.
“The Lean Startup” By Eric Ries
The Lean Startup provides readers with an overview of the basics of starting a business from scratch with a limited amount of resources. Ries explains how entrepreneurs can use creative problem-solving and experimentation to launch successful businesses without having large amounts of capital or extensive networks at their disposal. He also shares real-life examples from successful startups and tips on staying motivated during times of uncertainty and failure.
“How To Win Friends & Influence People” By Dale Carnegie
This book is an essential read for anyone who wants to build strong relationships both professionally and personally after college graduation. Carnegie provides readers with strategies for developing better communication skills and tips on influencing others through persuasive speaking techniques such as storytelling and active listening skills.
“So Good They Can’t Ignore You” By Cal Newport
Cal Newport has written multiple books on career development, and his 2012 work So Good They Can’t Ignore You is one of his most popular titles. In it, Newport argues that what we think of as “following our passion” is not the best way to find professional fulfillment and instead recommends focusing on developing valuable skills in the workplace. He also explains why alternative career paths like freelancing or starting your own business might not always be the ideal option either if you want long-term career satisfaction.
This book is excellent for recent grads who are looking for guidance on how to approach their careers. It can help them with things like deciding between job offers and determining what kind of job might satisfy them. The book doesn’t rely on outdated advice about finding your “true passion” or taking risks that don’t pay off in the long run.
“Getting Things Done” By David Allen
David Allen’s Getting Things Done (also known as GTD) revolutionized productivity techniques when it was published in 2001 and continues to be one of the most popular books on managing tasks and projects efficiently today. Many companies have adopted GTD techniques as part of their corporate workflow process due to their effectiveness in helping individuals stay organized while managing competing priorities simultaneously.
This book provides readers with an actionable system they can use to manage their workload more efficiently so they can focus less on mundane tasks and more on creative problem-solving and high-level thinking — two skills that will serve any graduate well during their transition into post-college life no matter which field they choose after graduation!
Conclusion
Ian Leaf says taking the time before graduating from college to read these seven books can have a significant impact on your future success after graduation day arrives. From managing your finances wisely to launching successful businesses from scratch or navigating interpersonal relationships with ease – each one of these books offers valuable insight into becoming the best version of yourself after college life ends. So pick up one (or all) today – you won’t regret it.