The 15 Best Pieces of Career Advice for New Graduates
“Your values matter. They are your North Star. Otherwise, it’s just a job, and life is too short for that. The sidelines are not where you want to live your life. There are problems that need to be solved, and injustices that need to be ended.” – at George Washington University, 2015
George Washington University
“Maybe it feels like you’re supposed to go to law school—but what you really want to do is teach little kids. Maybe your parents are expecting you to come back home after you graduate—but you’re feeling the pull to travel the world. I want you to listen to those thoughts. I want you to act with both your mind but also your heart. And no matter what path you choose, I want you to make sure it’s you choosing it, and not someone else.” – at Tuskegee University, 2015
Tuskegee University
“When I started in money management, I knew I was competing with people who were more knowledgeable and better connected. But the one thing I could do is outwork them. And I did. If I didn’t understand something, I’d ask questions. If I didn’t know how to do something, I’d ask to learn. Most people don’t want to admit they don’t know something. I do. All the time. So don’t pretend you know more than you do. In fact, I’m jealous of you. You’ve got years you can milk because you’re new. Make the most of it.” – at the University of Southern California, 2012
USC
“If you haven’t found a job or decided on a career path yet, don’t freak out. Don’t let fear or frustration, or the fact that others around seem to be all set, immobilize you. But do, from this day forward, open yourself up to possibilities you might never have considered. Step up, step out of your comfort zone, consider saying ‘yes,’ even when ‘no’ feels much safer.” – at Boston University, 2015
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“Life’s outcomes, while not entirely random, have a huge amount of luck baked into them. Above all, recognize that if you have had success, you have also had luck—and with luck comes obligation. You owe a debt, and not just to your gods. You owe a debt to the unlucky.” – at Princeton University, 2012
“Look for opportunities, look for growth. Look for impact. Look for mission. Move sideways, move down, move on, move off. Build your skills, not your resume. Evaluate what you can do, not the title they’re going to give you. Do real work. Take a sales quota, a line role, an ops job, don’t plan too much and don’t expect a direct climb. If I had mapped out my career when I was sitting where you are, I would have missed my career.” – at Harvard, 2007
Poetsandquants
“It’s time to say goodbye to the person we’ve become, we’ve worked so hard to perfect and to make some crucial decisions about who we’re going to be. For me, I’ll have to figure out how to do an hour-long show every night. And you, at some point, will have to sleep. I am told the Adderall wears off eventually. Good luck.” – at Wake Forest University, 2015
Ken Bennett/Wake Forest University
“Being an entrepreneur isn’t just a job title, and it isn’t just about starting a company. It’s a state of mind. It’s about seeing connections others can’t, seizing opportunities others won’t, and forging new directions that others haven’t.” – at Babson University, 2014
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“When your co-workers, and later your employees, compete as to who can put in the most hours to the day, suggest to them that they must be very inefficient workers. Pity them for not having enough depth and breadth to get a life. Judge work by the quality of what they produce, not the number of hours they put in. Stand up for what will increasingly separate you from the robots that threaten to replace you. Stand up for play—for the leisure that will renew and recharge you.” – at Tufts University, 2014
Alonso Nichols/Tufts University
“Please uphold the strong work ethic that you developed during your time here. And always remember words like integrity and accountability. Listen to others, and ask for guidance from those that you admire. Respect collaboration, but never settle. No job is too small, and it will only add to your mythology. Find your peers and grow strong with them. Find your mentors and follow them.” – at Fashion Institute of Technology, 2015
FIT.edu
“So those of you who are not graduating with a 3.5 GPA or better, have faith, my young friends, have faith. Remember, it ain’t where you start in life that counts, but what you do with life that will determine where you end up in life.” – at Rice University, 2015
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“No specific job or career goal defines me, and it should not define you. In 2000 I told graduates to not be afraid to fail, and I still believe that. But today I tell you that whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality.” – at Dartmouth in 2011
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“Make your work about more than your own success. For me, the most satisfying accomplishment is to help others gain confidence and learn to compete for themselves. Put another way, while you strive to be better, make those around you better, too. That’s leadership.” – at the University of Connecticut, Graduate School, 2013
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“Many of you will go for further education or career training. Of course, it’s important to learn the things that you need to make a living. But, don’t forget to read, and to learn history, literature and about current events. You’ll be more interesting to others, more interesting to yourself and more successful in your job. Most of the books I’ve read didn’t apply directly to my job or industry, but I’ve applied their lessons in unexpected ways.” – at LaGuardia Community College, 2013
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“From this day forward, the world is filled with endless possibilities. You’re young, you’re in your twenties. This is a great day for all of you. Except those of you leaving college with any student loan debt. I don’t know what to say to you. I’m sorry. I hope you win the lottery.” – at Tulane University, 2015
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