Throughout graduation season our lobby team is sharing advice they would give new recent college graduates as they’re embarking on their careers.
After multiple celebrations this summer it wasn’t surprising that at least one of them had “Advice for the Graduate” cards to be filled out by guests. Here was a chance to write down my thoughts. Would they read them? Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing was certain, my words of wisdom kept harkening back with the same theme, be true to yourself.
I’m sure we have all heard it. Be authentic and real. But what does it mean? To me, it means don’t forget where you came from. Your roots. Your family. Your heritage. My father worked for the Ford Motor Company in a factory doing manual labor. My mom was a stay-at-home mom who later cleaned offices and then worked as a receptionist at a medical clinic. Growing up they were part of families of immigrants searching for a better way of life. Neither of them attended college, nor had they finished high school when they started having children. The words of advice I received from my parents also came from how I watched them live; hard work, dedication, and a willingness to adapt when needed.
The one thing that has been constant and kept me grounded, is to never forget who I am and where I came from. And, despite various mistakes, triumphs, and challenges, the one thing I know is that it comes down to knowing that I’m being true. Being true to yourself, who you are, and never forgetting who you are, is the path to success in all parts of your life.
