Dear Graduate,
So you just finished 4 years of college, had a few days to celebrate and it finally feels like the rat race is over. Sorry to burst your bubble, but I am here to tell you that this is only the beginning.
However, before I get into the future, let me just take a second to say what you have achieved should not be taken for granted. If anyone tells you you're just one of hundreds of thousands of people who just graduated... tell them to stick it where the sun don't shine. Because, from some basic Googling (unverified sources, so I could be wrong here) I found that only 25% of millennials actually go to college. And only 50% of them end up taking home the degree. So if this is true, this already puts you in the top 12.5%.
For that reason, no matter what happens in the job interview tomorrow, the company you meet next week, next month or how many rejections you get in the next 6 months, you should know that I am very proud of you. Your family and friends are proud of you, and most of all - you should be proud of yourself.
Moving forward remember one thing as you enter the real world and start the biggest rat race in the world called life: Everyone has their own journey, so don't compare yourself to anyone else. Not even me. Just do YOU.
•••
Looking back to when I first graduated, I had done co-ops, paid work, volunteer work and internships, worked in retail, delivered pizzas and even ran my own business... so it would seem I should get a plethora of jobs to choose from right? Wrong.
Fortunately, I did not get any job offers straight out of college. In fact, the market was so dry (or I was that bad) that I worked in a call centre while I applied for jobs that would utilize my degree... and even took a few weeks off to travel across the world. Yes, I thought to myself did I just waste 4-years and a whole briefcase of money for a piece of paper which isn't working? No, of course I didn't.
And yes, I say fortunately I didn't get any jobs because I know I am where I am today because of everything that did and didn't happen... and I wouldn't want it any other way. I am a true believer that everything happens for reason, and if I did get a job, maybe I wouldn't have learnt the skills to get on the phone and do some cold calling, I wouldn't have explored 2 continents and most of all - I may not have gained further education which I am most proud of till this day.
So Mr. and Ms. Graduate, let me remind you that everyone has their own unique journey - including you. So don't worry too much about what is going to happen next. Just, be true to yourself, work hard and do what you love – and walls in the maze will break down, or you will learn how to jump over them. The rat race is on, but you get to decide how fast you go.
The future is yours, and your dream job may not come about straight away, but you will get it. And the only thing better than landing your dream job, in your dream city – is the journey to get there.
So sit back, relax, breathe, take it all in and make that next step when you're ready.
Congratulations again.
Saba Karim,
Bachelor of Business
Master of Communication
Citizen of the World