Yahoo Finance Graduating from college during the pandemic? These business titans have some advice for you
Graduating from college can be confusing and challenging in the best of times, not to mention a post-COVID-19 world. If you’re graduating this year, listen to the recommendations — and encouragement — these business leaders and Advisors in The Oracles have for you.
1. Pursue what you love.
The advice I always give college graduates is more relevant than ever. This is the best time in your life to take risks and pursue what you love, whether that’s trying to become Beyoncé, starting a business, or something else. Identify the person you aspire to be and offer to work for them for free. Find a second job to make money, and move home with your parents to cut expenses if needed. If you must take an unfulfilling job, pursue your passion on the side. In my 20s, I didn’t spend money on unnecessary stuff; I worked hard doing what I loved. That’s how you have a good life.
— Gary Vaynerchuk, founder and CEO of VaynerX; five-time New York Times bestselling author of “Crushing It!”
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2. Go the extra mile to become valuable.
Your education is just beginning, so never stop learning. Read and study every day. Get a job rather than staying at home with your parents. Find out who knows big players at the company where you want to work and then get in front of them (digitally, if needed). It’s tough in this economy; so you must bring value to the world, demonstrate how you can drive revenue, and go the extra mile.
Become great at what you do — because there is no money in average. Have the mentality that “if it’s going to be, it’s up to me,” and that you must get it done now. Finally, never lower your goals because they seem too big. I’d say good luck, but the reality is you create your own luck.
— Grant Cardone, founder of Cardone Capital, a $2 billion real estate empire; follow Grant on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
3. Don’t be afraid.
All times are challenging. Growth lies in the challenges, so prepare for the worst and work toward the best. Don’t fear the future. There are more opportunities now than ever, so it’s the perfect time to enter your most productive years. Action eliminates doubt, and experience is the real education. So start experiencing jobs and projects that interest you. Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity — because there’s no such thing.
Take care of yourself. Eat, sleep, move, and play well. Keep it simple; avoid overcommitment and constant distraction. Make time to meditate, breathe deeply, and contemplate the true nature of things every day. The egocentric age is over. We’re all in this together; so serve others and do no harm.
— Mark Divine, retired U.S. Navy SEAL commander, NYT & WSJ bestselling author, and founder of Unbeatable Mind and SEALFIT; follow Unbeatable Mind on Facebook and YouTube
4. Become the best person for the job.
With fewer jobs to go around, it’s more important than ever to focus on excellence and being the best at what you do. Approach job interviews asking how you can fix a problem for the company, not what the company can offer you.
Aspiring YouTubers often blame the algorithm if their videos don’t perform well instead of asking how they could improve. The YouTube algorithm is built to recommend the best videos; so if it isn’t promoting yours, it probably isn’t the best. If you don’t get a job, it’s usually for the same reason: because someone else did it better. So adopt a mindset of continuous improvement.
— Sarah Chrisp, founder of Wholesale Ted, one of the largest (over 350,000 subscribers) online educational resources teaching entrepreneurs how to create, grow, and scale successful online stores; started her first online store at 16 years old; follow Sarah on YouTube
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5. Put your degree to the ‘future test.’
Ask yourself: Does your degree pass the future test? Many industries are going to look quite different as the world changes and technology automates jobs. Is your industry innovating? Focus on the future, even if that means pursuing a different career. I know you invested a lot in your degree, but don’t be stubborn.
The first and fastest to meet the hockey puck where it’s going will be successful, and there’s always a hybrid solution that fits the market. For example, if you have a law degree, consider creating legal technology. With so much change happening, there’s no better time to be yourself and choose what you truly want to do. When you do, money and happiness will follow.
— Mike Calhoun, founder and CEO of BoardofAdvisors.com; connect with Mike on Facebook and LinkedIn
6. Make a video to show employers who you are.
Culture fit is more important than skills to me, and to most companies. Before I bother to read your résumé, I’ll ask you questions to get to know you and whether you’re a fit. To help potential employers get to know you, create a video about yourself that you can share with them.
Do something you love. Don’t apply for jobs because of money; apply for ones you will sink into and enjoy. Find something that makes you want to work weekends and look forward to Mondays. Then if you work hard, recognition and money will follow.
— Craig Handley, co-founder of ListenTrust and author of “Hired to Quit, Inspired to Stay”; connect with Craig on LinkedIn
7. Don’t worry if your path is unconventional.
The path to success is never a straight line. It’s OK if your dreams (and your journey to reach them) are unconventional, just like your graduation. Find a career you love, not only one that pays the bills. You may go through some jobs you don’t like to learn the lessons that will get you to your calling. Work hard, ask questions, learn from mentors, and do the hard jobs to find out what you like and what you don’t. Then your calling will come loud and clear. Follow it.
— Ashley Alderson, founder and CEO of The Boutique Hub and Boutique.Style; cancer survivor, motivational speaker, and host of “Boutique Chat”; connect with Ashley on Instagram and LinkedIn
8. Remember: you’re just as qualified as anyone else in this new world.
It’s not the strongest who survive, but those who can adapt to change. We’re all equal in times of change because no one is truly prepared or comfortable with change. We’re all newbies in this new world, where you are just as experienced as a senior executive — and as qualified to succeed. Some people are just better at hiding their insecurity and fear of failure. But there is nothing to fear; change is an opportunity.
So, be bold and go big. Let nothing hold you back. If you fail, fail hard. Then dust yourself off and try again. Embrace failure, which is necessary. Don’t try to fail, but don’t cut yourself off from success by fearing it either. When times are tough, you become a better, stronger, and more humble person with a better story to tell. Life is worth living, so embrace it.
— James Daily, founding partner of Daily Law Group, which helps high-profile clients with fiduciary abuse litigation, including fraud, crisis management, and business and family disputes; connect with James on LinkedIn
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College graduates 2020: These business titans have some advice for you
