Back to
Reinvention & Money : Careers & Work

The Year's Best Advice for Grads — And Parents of Grads

Words of wisdom from 2012 commencement speeches

by Jamie Miles { View Profile }

Images loading...

Not graduating this year? Nope, neither are we. But we were still inspired by this wisdom from recent commencement speeches.

 

Read on for the year's best advice from Katie Couric, Brian Williams, Jane Lynch, Andy Samberg and more.
graduation image

Be Resilient

“Don’t be a teacup… be a travel mug. Sturdy and, ultimately, unbreakable.”

 

-Katie Couric at University of Virginia

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/ s_bukley

katie couric image

Own Your Accolades

“Your crown has been paid for… put it on your head and wear it.”

 

-Oprah Winfrey at Spellman College

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/Helga Esteb

Do Something—Small or Seismic

 “You don’t have to build a rocket or go into space, but please take us somewhere. Please keep us moving. Push us, lift us up.”

 

-Brian Williams at George Washington University

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/s_bukley

brian williams image

Follow Your Instincts

“You’ll meet a lot of people who, to put it simply, don’t know what they’re talking about… Develop your own compass and trust it.”

 

-Aaron Sorkin at Syracuse University

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/s_bukley

aaron sorkin image

Pursue Your Passions

"Follow your bliss."

 

-Barbara Walters at Yale College

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/Featureflash

barbara walters image

Be Heard

“Don’t just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table… but if you decide not to sit yourself at the table, at the very least you’ve got to make sure you have a say in who does.”

 

-President Obama at Barnard College

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/Daniel Lohmer

barack obama image

Live in the Moment

“Before you go out and press that fast forward button, I’m hoping you’ll have the courage to push the ‘Pause’ button. Pausing today and throughout your entire life allows you to take a breath, it allows you to take a beat, it allows you to be in the moment.”

 

-Maria Shriver at University of Southern California Annenberg

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/Joe Seer

maria shriver image

Be Open to Surprise

“It’s fine to make plans; just be ready to change them.”

 

-Mayor Michael Bloomberg at University of North Carolina

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/stocklight

mayor michael bloomberg

Just Say Yes

“Life is just a big extended improvisation. Embrace the ever changing, ever evolving world with the best rule I’ve ever found. Say ‘Yes And.’“

 

-Jane Lynch at Smith College

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/Helga Esteb

jane lynch image

Go Big

"Whatever you do, avoid mediocrity. Mediocrity is your enemy,”

 

-Alice Cooper at the Musicians’ Institute

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/s_bukley

alice cooper image

Give of Yourself

“How often the answer to our own troubles is to help others with theirs."

 

-Mitt Romney at Liberty University

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/Christopher Halloran

mitt romney image

Be Confident

“Relax, dude! Trust me, you’re going to kill it.”

 

-Andy Samberg at Harvard University

 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock/Helga Esteb

 

 

Click here for ways you can use social media to find a job.

 

Want the latest beauty, fashion and lifestyle tips? Click here to sign up for our fabulous weekly newsletter
andy samberg image

What’s your reaction?

Comments

Post new comment

Click to add a comment

MORE SLIDESHOWS:

 

Smart Savings