Dear Class of 2012:
1. #b#There is no perfect job/major#/b#. Don’t agonize over choosing a major. You may end up in a job that doesn’t exist yet! Here is the good and bad news. Good news: just as there is no perfect major, there is no perfect job. Bad news: you may not work in a field that has anything to do with your major. A much better way to view your career path is by observing the kind of work that interests you. What energizes you? What kind of people bring out the best in you? If you view your interests and skills as ingredients searching for a recipe instead of searching for the perfect job, you will be much happier over the course of your life.
2. #b#Trust your body#/b#. You may feel confused about which decision to make or which direction to take in your new career. You may lie awake at night weighing options and evaluating the merits of each choice. As your brain works hard, your body is quietly sitting there with tons of relevant information. In fact, it probably holds the best answer for you if you just listen to it.
Here is a trick: remember a great moment in your life, and notice how you felt in your body. Then remember a horrible time in your life, and notice how you felt in your body. Now think about each of your career choices. How does each feel in your body? The more you trust your body’s responses, the better decisions you will make.
3. #b#Fast and free wins the race#/b#. The best way to build a career is to test and try a lot of things. If you spend too much time in the planning stages, opportunities pass you by. You may be a really good student and pride yourself on graduating at the top of your class. This is a great accomplishment. It might also get in your way, if you worry that every project you undertake must be perfectly executed, or you will consider yourself a failure.
Instead, get used to testing often and failing fast. If things don’t turn out as planned, instead of asking “Why me?” ask “What happened?” or “How could I improve next time?” The pace of work is so fast, and the tools of technology are so adaptable, that the people who are able to work quickly, creatively and flexibly will be the most valued.
4. #b#Be generous#/b#. When I was a young teacher, older mentors told me that I was too nice. “Start out tough, then you can ease up,” they said. I have no problem being strong, or working hard, but I never considered that being generous was antithetical to success. Here is the good news: being kind, generous and authentic is now seen as a brilliant career strategy. It helped me for the 34 years I have spent in education, and, most importantly, makes me feel proud to show anyone how I work. I have preached this message to many administrators I have mentored.
5. #b#Relax#/b#. Your life is not a race. You have plenty of time to experiment and figure out what interests you. You should travel. Volunteer. Try out really different kinds of jobs and see what lights your fire. There is not a universal time line for figuring things out, although many will tell you there is. The real questions to ask yourself as you cruise through life are: Are you happy? Are you learning? Are you contributing something positive to the world? Are you interested in others? Are you enthusiastic?
Learning how to slow down and enjoy the present is a wonderful gift to yourself, and will help you produce really high quality work.
6. #b#Work your tail off#/b#. I know, I just said to relax. But I didn’t mean be lethargic and lazy. If you are sleeping on your parents’ couch and eating Jalapeno Cheetos all day, that is not relaxing, that is copping out. Find something worthwhile to do. Use your hands and build something. Take on a big challenge at your community center. Build a website. Start a blog.
7. #b#Don’t try to do everything on your own#/b#. Rugged individualism is highly overrated. By trying to do everything by yourself, you will take longer, produce worse results, feel isolated and have fewer exciting experiences. Instead, be a good teammate…build on your current network of friends, classmates, and relatives. Stay in touch with classmates, teachers…even principals!
Fill your life with all kinds of smart, interesting and compassionate people. Aim to have peers and mentors of all ages, professions and backgrounds. The more diverse your network, the more opportunities will come your way. Us old folks think that you are the social networking generation, so leverage Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to maximum advantage. Ask for help and help others, and watch your career thrive. More importantly…you’ll be a better person for the experience.
Like any advice you receive, you are welcome to ignore mine. Your own instinct is your best guide, and will not fail you. Work hard, play harder, dream BIG dreams.
