Letter to a fresh faced graduate…me

Many students are graduating from communications and journalism programs this month which prompted me to think – What if I offered advice to another young grad, myself? 

The young guy who graduated with so much hope and excitement was then 21. My first thought -- enjoy life because it’s precious and it’s short.

I left Humber College in the spring of 1983 and by that time I was already working full-time at a radio station in Toronto.

I was never the best high school student.  I guess you could say on my charm and wit.  Perhaps I was one of those rare cases where I decided to buckle down once I was going to college and actually paying for it myself.  

My first bit of advice to young Steve would be to apply yourself every day.  I wasted some of those teenage years when I could’ve prepared for even a better career choice with even more options.  

Now that’s not saying I regret my choice of the radio broadcasting program at Humber College. It was a great choice and allowed me to live a dream-and on the radio.

My first job was at CKO Radio. It was Canada’s first all-news radio network. It was ahead of its time. I had the privilege of working alongside some legends of broadcasting. CKO was a Masterclass in news.  

At CKO, I quickly moved up the ladder starting in the sports department and eventually having a junior management position at the station by the time I was 25.

My second piece of advice is to continue expanding horizons. I turned down a promotion in Halifax and took a job bridging broadcasting with more communications work when I started at the Toronto Stock Exchange in 1988.  It helped me learn new skills – again another Masterclass in media relations and public relations from the ground up. If I had one thing going for me it was that I understood what reporters were looking for and that helped the exchange in able to tell her story. 

What I thought would be a three-year position turned into 20 years of the most incredible ups and downs one could have. I was at the forefront of some of the biggest business stories in the 90s in the early part of this century.

I learned a valuable lesson at the TSX – one I wish the 21 year old Steve learned earlier and that was to “proclaim your rarity.” Simply put, that means know who you are, what you are good at, and do it better than anyone else. 

Another lesson is to move around and gain experience.  20 years is a long time to stay in any organization and by 2008 I was recruited to go work at a major Canadian financial and insurance company.  But while moving is important, knowing where you are going is even more important. I made the critical mistake of chasing the money and position rather than understanding the culture and matrix that was this organization. It wasn’t a good choice.  Young Steve take note – live within yourself. I know full well now that I thrive at a smaller organization where I have a clear line of sight to the corner office.   

After 2 1/2 years at that organization, I was packaged out. Another note to younger Steve – always have a plan. I was a fish out of water and didn’t know how to use my network to help find new work. It was a humbling experience.  

I eventually found my way into a public relations agency and found out just how hard those people work.  But again I was missed cast because I’m not a marketing person I am a pure play media relations and communications person.   Another lesson learned – don’t pick a job because you need a job – pick a job because you want a job. 

Most of this advice is business-centric. The most important thing to learn is to value those close to you – your friends and family. Build strong connections and be there for these people. Don’t let the job get in front of your family – ever.  

Finally, be kind and respectful always. Pay life forward and don’t do anything expecting to get something in return. Good deeds make me feel good. 

It took 21 year old Steve decades to learn that. 

To all graduates of 2019 – good luck and god bless. Life is indeed precious and it’s horribly short.