What do you wish someone had told you when you were graduating from Cornell and being launched into the world? That\u2019s the question we asked readers to ponder in advance of this year\u2019s Commencement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The many thoughtful responses we received offered insights on how to approach a job search; the importance of seeing the world and getting involved in civic life; the value of doing well by doing good; and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(And OK, there was that one alum who offered a one-sentence suggestion: \u201cDon\u2019t take generic advice from people who graduated a long time\u202fago.\u201d Well played, sir; you made us chuckle.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following are selections from the responses: the collected wisdom of Cornellians to the newest crop of alumni. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re interspersed with vintage Commencement photos from the 1970s and \u201980s\u2014images that have been stored on slides in the University Library\u2019s Rare and Manuscript Collections for decades, and are only now being widely shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Do you have some advice to add? Or do you recognize someone\u2014or yourself!\u2014in the photos? Let us know in the comments!)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVery few of us are doing what we thought we\u2019d be doing when we graduated, so don\u2019t worry about what your first job is; odds are it won\u2019t be what your last job is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Don Young \u201970<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey often say \u2018life is short\u2019\u2014but the truth is, life is long. You don\u2019t need to worry about choosing the career of your life now. The next decade is the best time for you to try as many new things as possible, build on a wide set of skills, cultivate relationships and mentors, try a side hustle, read a lot books, live abroad, and apply your talents to what you value most. The following decade, you\u2019ll have everything you need to create your own career.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Vicki Johnson \u201901<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs you leave the University environment, opportunities and activities that have been so easily available at Cornell may become harder to find. It might be a hobby, or a non-academic skill that you have been honing. But look hard in the community that you are going to, or start a group with people who share your interest. At some point, life might necessitate you put away these things for some years\u2014but keep an eye out for opportunities to enjoy them again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Teresa Fung \u201991, MS \u201994<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to try new things and get out of your comfort zone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Uvika Sharma, MBA \u201910<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPurpose, identity, relationships: these are three crucial components of meaningful existence. These need to be considered as one is embarking on a career, and really the rest of one\u2019s life, including retirement!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Bruce Grund \u201974<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou are the bomb. You are among the best in this world. Believe in yourself. Be bold\u2014yet kind, nice, and encouraging. Believe in yourself and go out there and show the world who you are and where you come from.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Carol Killiebrew \u201992<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Purpose, identity, relationships: these are three crucial components of meaningful existence.<\/p>\nBruce Grund \u201974<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n \u201cSpend two years as a Peace Corps volunteer. Learn about and experience another culture, and help make the world a better place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Michael Hirsh \u201966<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTrust your gut. It is your North Star and will always lead you in the right direction. Rather than casting a wide net to find a job, get specific and focused, based on what lights you up\u2014not what seems like a good idea or what others advise you to do. Employers want to know you are not only qualified, but enthusiastic. Interview them every bit as much as they interview you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Sharon Hoffman, MS \u201988<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGet involved with local and state government!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 David Sheffield \u201955, BArch \u201960, MRP \u201961<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFind a career that you are passionate about. The money rewards will come as you pursue your passions. Never stop learning\u2014and always learn how to do the next job that you want to get, while doing the one you have.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Jan Versteeg Olson \u201976<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy advice would be what they told us at Orientation: \u2018If it is to be, it is up to me.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Hannah Mathers \u201986<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBe curious. Our ability to change the future far outstrips our ability to change the past. Lead with vulnerability, embrace with trust. Love well and often.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Doug Young \u201985<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n My advice would be what they told us at Orientation: \u2018If it is to be, it is up to me.\u2019<\/p>\nHannah Mathers \u201986<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n \u201cCommunicate. Treat others as you want to be treated. Always look at the big picture when making or analyzing a decision. Be truthful, no matter how hard that may seem in the short run.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Charlie Kentnor \u201964, BME \u201965<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWritten goals and weekly accountability dramatically increase the likelihood of goal achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Peter Chatel \u201978<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStay in touch with Cornell! I\u2019ve made friends whom I did not know on campus, and I have enjoyed many fantastic experiences with Cornellians around the world, just by being an active member of alumni groups.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Jeanne Brown Sander \u201966<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> \u201cThe important thing you take away from your time here is that you have learned how to learn. You should now be confident that you are capable of acquiring any skill. There is no such thing as clever people\u2014only those who have the confidence and determination to take on a challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Donald Cameron, MS \u201963<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n (All photos courtesy of Rare and Manuscript Collections.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Published May 1, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n We asked you to share your advice for this year\u2019s graduates\u2014and on topics from career to travel to self-confidence, you delivered<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":51234,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"alumni_hub_syml_posts":[51064,7992,8095],"footnotes":""},"categories":[227],"tags":[],"cornell_year_post":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-51311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-beyond"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"President](\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/DSCF2073-1024x683.jpeg\")
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\n\n\n\nWhat’s your advice for the Class of 2025?<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"