Graduating isn’t the same as it used to be – you know, when you could just walk out of university with a job. The market today is tough, and with the economy constantly changing there’s no longer a sure-fire way to land the job of your dreams.
So it definitely helps to have a bit of inspiration before you start the next chapter of your life and to make the transition at least manageable.
While many people will most likely forget who spoke at their graduation ceremony, let alone what they said, there are a few individuals whose commencement speeches have stood the test of time.
From Steve Jobs to Natalie Portman, Jeff Bezos to John F. Kennedy, here are the speeches you wish you’d heard on your graduation day.
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“Too many of us think it is impossible,” he said. “Too many think it unreal. But that is a dangerous, defeatist belief. It leads to the conclusion that war is inevitable — that mankind is doomed — that we are gripped by forces we cannot control. Our problems are manmade — therefore, they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants.”
Aaron Sorkin — Syracuse University, 2012
The author and screenwriter of the Social Network used his particular blend of wit and sound principles to deliver a moving commencement speech that involved his own fails and triumphs as he grew up.
“Develop your own compass, and trust it. Take risks, dare to fail, remember the first person through the wall always gets hurt.”
Conan O’Brien — Dartmouth College, 2011
The comedian and television host shared stories with Dartmouth grads about key moments in his career and how certain disappointing setbacks helped shape him into who he is today.
“Whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality.”
Daniel Pink — Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, 2014
The New York Times best-selling author explained to graduates why the best roadmap for an interesting life is the one that you make up as you go.
“Sometimes, the only way to discover who you are or what life you should lead is to do less planning and more living — to burst the double bubble of comfort and convention and just do stuff.”
Natalie Portman — Harvard University, 2015
The Acadamy Award-winning actress reflected on her own experiences at university and in her career as she battled self-doubt. Even 12 years after graduating, and with a successful acting career under her belt, she still deals with her own personal insecurities and shared how graduates can use the feeling of self-doubt as motivation.
“Sometimes your insecurities and your inexperience may lead you, too, to embrace other people’s expectations, standards, or values,” Portman said. “But you can harness that inexperience to carve out your own path, one that is free of the burden of knowing how things are supposed to be, a path that is defined by its own particular set of reasons.”
Jim Carrey — Maharishi University of Management, 2014
In true Carrey fashion, he shared funny pearls of wisdom, while still offering graduates inspiring words about life and their future.
“Like many of you, I was concerned about going out into the world and doing something bigger than myself, until someone smarter than myself made me realize that there is nothing bigger than myself.”
Sheryl Sandberg — Barnard College, 2011
The Chief Operating Officer of Facebook used her speech to encouraging young women to be ambitious and self-confident, and to “lean in” to their careers, especially before making important life choices.
“Try until you find something that stirs your passion, a job that matters to you and matters to others. It is the ultimate luxury to combine passion and contribution. It’s also a very clear path to happiness.”
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