It’s graduation season. Across the country beautiful Black boys and girls will walk across stages and grab the diplomas they spent years working toward. Some are leaving high school. Some are leaving college. Others are finishing technical programs and trade schools that will launch them directly into careers. No matter the path, this moment matters so take a moment to celebrate this achievement.
But graduations are a funny thing. Everyone celebrates the accomplishment while quietly wondering what comes next. That’s the real question hanging in the air after the pictures are taken and the applause dies down. As a college professor who has spent the last 15 years watching students succeed, struggle, pivot, fail, recover and rise, I’ve learned a few things worth sharing with graduates stepping into the next chapter of their lives.
Allow me to give you five things you need to hear as you start the next stage of your life. It does not matter whether you are crossing the stage at a high school, graduate school, or beauty college. These are things you need to hear.
Your first job does not have to be your dream job
Too many young people think every opportunity must perfectly match their passion, purpose, and long-term vision right out of the gate. That is unrealistic. Sometimes your first job will simply teach you discipline, professionalism, or what you do not want to do. There is value in learning all those things. Do not treat your first step like your final destination.
Reliability is a superpower
Showing up on time, answering emails, and doing what you said you would do already puts you ahead of a shocking number of people. You would be surprised how many people simply do not do what they say they will do.
If you show up on time and meet deadlines you immediately separate yourself from the crowd. Talent matters. Intelligence matters. But people trust and promote the person they can consistently count on.
Protect your reputation online
One reckless post can follow you for the rest of your life. Future employers and partners will absolutely Google you at some point in the future.
Don’t let a drunken night online follow you the rest of your life. Be smart about what you post. Just ask Kevin Hart if he wished he had someone tell him about this.
Do not waste time trying to impress people online
Half the people liking your post today will forget about you tomorrow. Live a real life instead of performing a fake one for strangers.
Focus on developing real and lasting relationships IRL. Validation from the internet disappears fast. Real connection does not.
Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard
This is one of Kevin Durant’s favorite things to post online. And while KD can be frustrating sometimes, this is something graduates need to hear.
Talent might get you noticed, but discipline is what keeps you growing when everyone else gets comfortable. There are gifted people everywhere who never amount to anything because they rely on ability alone. Meanwhile, the person willing to stay late, study harder, practice longer, and keep improving eventually passes them. You may have God given abilities, but that is not enough.
So to the graduates walking across stages this spring, congratulations. But now it is time to build a life that matters. The world will test you quickly. Follow these five steps and you will be better prepared to handle whatever life throws your way.
