Message to the college class of 2011

It is that special time of year for folks grabbing degrees and taking on the world.  As a university employee, I have the honor of watching hundreds of these great folks work their way to dreams, and here are some things I would love to tell each and every one of them as they move on to bigger and better things in life.

• Your degree is not the answer.  It is the tool with which you sculpt your future.
• Sharpen your writing skills.  People DO judge you based on your writing.
• It doesn't matter where you get your degree.  What matters is how you use what you learned in the classroom.
• Employers want you to prove that you can separate yourself from the crowd, not follow the crowd.
• What you did outside the classroom counts.  Folks want to know that you can lead.
• Don't be big headed about your degree.  There's always someone who can outwork you.
• That class you think won't matter, may not.  But nothing's wrong with knowing more than you did before.
• If you're headed for Corporate America, get to know the janitors.  They see and hear everything.
• Remember what Bill Gates said about being a nerd possibly being your boss one day?  Listen to that piece advice.
• Pride in your alma mater can actually help your career opportunities.
• PLEASE have someone help you with your resume before you send it out.
• Make your job interview an interesting conversation about what you bring to the table.
• It's OK to be a loose cannon every once in a while.  Just don't be a loose idiot.
• Get a mentor in your field as in a seasoned, reputable professional.
• Financial management. That is all.
• Thank the professor(s) who inspired you the most.  It means the world to them.
• That picture of you on Facebook with your a$$ and tongue sticking out at the party?  It'll come back to haunt you.
• Learn the difference between who you are and what you are.  Who are you is the person.  What you are is comprised of the choices you make.
• When you screw up at work, just be honest.  You'll save yourself a lot of unnecessary BS.
• Learn professional damage control.  Admit it, apologize for it, correct it, and move on.
• Learn leadership skills.  You'll earn the respect of everyone around you even if they don't like you.
• Learn how to chair meetings.  People appreciate getting in, getting the plan, and getting out.
• Take a page from the book of marketing.  Learn how to brand yourself for potential employers.
• Focus on the the most important things you can do in life--sit down, shut up, and listen.
• Don't EVER let anyone tell you that you wasted your money on your education.
• Learn to be versatile on the job. 

Good luck!