Let’s Crowdsource the World’s Greatest Graduation Speech

Last year I was honored to give the commencement address at my alma mater, George Washington University School of Business. It was one of the highlights of my career.

Like most such speeches, I drew from my personal experience – which was all well and good. However, as I think about it now, I believe that it would be even more valuable to offer different perspectives, different points of view.

With that thought in mind, I’m proposing that we create the world’s first crowd-sourced graduation speech right here on LinkedIn. By harnessing the wisdom of readers across the globe, we can compile our insights for anyone setting their sights on new horizons.

I’ll start us off, and then invite you to join in.

“Greetings to you all, graduates of 2016!”

You made it! Close your eyes and savor this moment?—?the joy of it, the magnitude of it. And let it sink in?—?all of the effort and ups and downs that led to today, and all of the possibilities this moment creates for you in the future.

It might feel pretty good. And it might feel pretty daunting. I would imagine that for many of you, it is both.

Today is a day to think hard about tomorrow. Who will you be? What will you do? And how will you act, as you face new challenges?

Today is also the day many people who have gone before you rush in to offer their excellent?—?and/or inspiring, comical, frustrating, valuable?—?wisdom to help you make the most of your opportunity.

So into that chorus, I’ll offer my two cents. In no particular order, I encourage you to:

Let your values lead you.  Find your north star, your passion, your purpose.  Let that purpose guide you.  Let it drive you forward.  It may compel you to do hard things.  To push back against long-standing rules or even change the game entirely.  It may take you somewhere unexpected.  But when you get there, you will know why.  And so will others.

Be curious.  Ask questions. Lots of them.  Graduation poses the question, “Now what?”  Make that the first of a million more questions you ask—of yourself, your friends, your doctor, your boss.  Be fearlessly curious, and fearlessly open to the answers you receive.  It might change your outcome.  It might change your mind.  That might be a good thing.

Save for tomorrow.  Many of you have plans, no doubt.  Who you will become, what you will do, when you will reach your future milestones.  And aspirations are great. But don’t forget about the practical… and by that I mean money. So get in the habit of stashing away a chunk of change every month. Live in the present, for sure. But also ensure your tomorrow by creating a nice soft cash cushion.

Bring others along.  Life is not a competition.  Your success doesn’t have to come from someone else’s failure.  Don’t ever take for granted all of the people who have helped you along the way.  Your parents. Your teachers.  Your friends, co-workers and even some of your rivals.  All of these people have given something of themselves to help you get where you are today.  So give back.  Serve others, in whatever way you can and feel comfortable.  Serving others is noble, and it is practical.  And when you help others, you make the world—your world—a better place.

That sums it up for me, so now it’s your turn. What words of wisdom would you contribute? Please add your advice for this year’s graduates as a LinkedIn response, below. #4CSES

Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz is president of Charles Schwab Foundation and senior vice president at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Member SIPC. Charles Schwab Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, private foundation that is not part of Schwab or its parent company, The Charles Schwab Corporation.