Everything Is Going to Be OK

..and Other Words of Wisdom for the Class of 2015

In this series, professionals share what they'd do differently — and keep the same. Follow the stories here and write your own (please use #IfIWere22 in your post).

Last month, I authored a blog post asking for advice for the graduating class of 2015, as I prepared to give commencement addresses at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business and my alma mater Brooklyn College.

The response to my request was tremendous, and I felt compelled to share some of the highlights with you. I was impressed by the willingness and openness of people who shared stories of their careers, mistakes and lessons learned the hard way.

In no particular order…

 #1: Perseverance pays.

The class of 2015 is going out into the business world at a very uncertain time. Certainly, U.S. unemployment rates have gone down and prospects have improved greatly since the height of last decade’s recession. But many graduates will face a long job search or huge competition for roles.

Getting through this period of uncertainty requires a great deal of self-belief, and perseverance. Stay positive, because in the words of one contributor “everything is going to be OK.”

This period also necessitates patience and willingness to make the most of every opportunity.

“No one has it figured out entirely and you know what? That’s OK.”

“Never get tired of pursuing your passion, even if odds are not in your favor.”

“When I graduated, my dad told me not to be limited by available jobs. If I could demonstrate an organization’s need for my unique skills, a position could be created around my talents. That was solid advice that I've used a few times, and it has worked.”

“Perseverance pays.”

From a former member of the U.S. military: “If all else fails, fix bayonets and charge forward.” 

#2: Pay yourself first.

Many members of the class of 2015 will be graduating with unprecedented levels of student loan debt. After all, the cost of college tuition in the U.S. has been outpacing inflation for decades. And while I firmly believe investment in college education will have a positive net impact on an individual’s life and career overall, I appreciate the enormous pressure this places on graduates.

Many contributors urged this year’s graduates to make planning their financial security an immediate priority, including paying down debt as well as saving for retirement.

“Don't wait until you think you can afford it to start investing toward retirement. You won't miss the money, but when you retire, you'll know you did the right thing.”

“Pay yourself first! Invest as little or as much as you can towards retirement NOW!”

“Pay back your student loans ASAP!”

#3: School’s not out. It’s just getting started.

The class of 2015 may have received their diplomas, but the learning curve is just beginning. Respondents to my last post stated again and again that learning is a lifelong process, and those who succeed are those who seek out both formal and informal opportunities to grow.

“You’ll make mistakes because you know nothing yet. So make mistakes and make sure you learn.”

“There are thousands of careers that don't exist now that will be created in your lifetime. Be open to learning and exploring.”

“Your priorities, passion and even opinions will change over time - that's how life is. So don't get stuck in your thinking. Embrace change and diversity of opinions, thoughts, people and actions.”

“There's opportunity to learn in every situation, especially the bad… I'm only a few years out of college myself… this has been a tremendous learning.”

“Seek out mentors early in your career, and at every (major) juncture.” 

#4. Shake things up.

Many contributors emphasized the class of 2015 has a lot to offer the workforce and society. Their generation will bring energy and fresh thinking to the organizations they join. As they stand at the very beginning of their professional lives, they have unlimited potential to make an impact on the world around them.

“Be different and think out of the box. Explore. You make an impact by doing things others are afraid to do. Take calculated risks.”

“Apply yourself to solve big problems and your career will take care of itself.”

“The world doesn't need more people with a resume. It doesn't need more workers. It needs more people who are emotionally and intellectually connected to a problem and have the stubborn attitude to do something about it.” 

#5. Make friends (and not just on Facebook).

Our professional success is impacted in countless ways by the quality of our relationships and networks. I’m not talking about the awkward, designated networking time that follows a typical corporate event. But genuine connections that are nurtured over time.

“Treat every interaction as if it were more than just a Facebook friend. Learn how to leverage your connections and have others leverage yours to provide real impact.”

“Talk to strangers.”

“Life is a collaborative art.”

“Stay connected to one another, you will become a powerful business network for each other for years to come.”

“Never burn a bridge!”

I’m very pleased with the result from my first foray into crowdsourcing! Some of the advice that emerged is seemingly eternal – as relevant today as it was when I graduated. At the same time, other themes provide sharp insight into the unique challenges faced by young professionals in 2015. Taken together, the advice is much richer and broader than any I could have come up with on my own. I want to thank everyone who took the time to contribute their experiences and stories. I’m very grateful.

Congratulations to this year’s graduates (and their proud families!). I wish you all the best of success for your careers and your lives – you’ve certainly earned it.

Have you attended a commencement ceremony this graduation season? Or watched a great speech online? What’s the best piece of advice you heard?

Barry Salzberg is the Global CEO of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Barry is retiring from Deloitte at the end of May 2015, and will be  succeeded by Punit Renjen. Please visit our website for more information about the Deloitte network.