My advice for graduates: What’s next will come

Graduations are special events, and it’s a huge honor to be asked to speak during the ceremony. So I was thrilled to be invited to address the Class of 2024 at George Mason University this year. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, George Mason is the largest public research institution in the state and has a diverse student population hailing from across the United States and 130 countries.??

Knowing that this group of graduates is entering a world where technological advances are happening faster than ever, I wanted to use my few minutes of remarks to convey to them a couple of things. One, change is constant – so get comfortable with uncertainty. And two, the best way to navigate constant change is to stay optimistic.?

I used a story from my own career – what I would describe as my worst day, in fact – to demonstrate how optimism can be a powerful force for finding opportunity in uncertainty.??

What happened? You can find out in this episode of my Optimistic Outlook podcast. But I’ll say this, as you may have guessed: The events that followed that day led me to my current role at 西门子 USA.??

And that experience taught me the value of this piece of job advice, which you don’t often hear: Trust that what’s next will come.??

Career-building can often be about focusing on what will get you to the next step or the next role. My advice to graduates, as you’ll see in the excerpt below, is to focus on the job you’re doing right now and do it the best you possibly can. Earn a reputation as someone committed to the team and the organization. You’ll make an impact.???

For most of my career, up until that point, I had simply answered the call. Someone would say, “Hey, we need you to do this.” I’d do what was needed.???

?This time I put myself forward. I knew what I could offer. I knew this was the job for me.??

?And let me tell you, there’s a real joy and rush when you raise your hand for something and then get chosen to do it.????

?So, here’s some additional advice. Figure out the kind of work that will bring you joy – work that aligns with your purpose and your values. And when the right opportunities come, put yourself out there. Raise your hand.???

Be known as the person that people can count on. Be ready to see things through.???

?I don’t think this part of career-building is talked about enough. There’s this sense that we should always be thinking about the next thing and the next.???

Throughout your career journey, remember to focus on what you are doing right now and do it well. There is real value in staying in a place long enough to understand it – to really be part of it. Maybe things get messy; stay there long enough to help clean it up.? Stay there long enough to make your mark.???

What’s next will come.??

Let me add this: Have you heard the phrase that there are no small parts, there are only small actors???

Be the person who does your role like it’s the most important job in the organization, like it’s the last job you’ll ever have. I promise you – this mindset will serve you well.???

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I hope you enjoyed this newsletter! I’d love to hear what advice you would give to this year’s graduates. Share in the comments. And I hope you’ll subscribe to and rate The Optimistic Outlook podcast on your favorite platform.?