What advice would you give to a Cornell student about entering the "real world"? What advice should they ignore?
Anonymous
Don't sweat it. Right after graduation, everyone talks about what school you graduated from and what company you work for. Ten years out, I have found the conversations to be more about dogs and kids.
Anonymous
Pursue opportunities that increase your exposure to options, and try to maintain a broad range of "optionality." Don't close any doors. You are unlikely to end up where you thought you would. As you go, you will learn what you like/dislike, adapt, and where you end up will likely be better than where you thought you would when you were 20.
Cecily Pulver
Nearly everyone has imposter syndrome when starting new jobs. Everyone has been new at some point and most people are faking it a little until they figure out the ropes. Be honest about things you don't know and ask questions as needed to learn!
Ojus Padston
Test before committing - Try to fail fast to save yourself time. If you think you want to go into a profession, first get an informational interview with someone already in the field to understand what it's really like. You may actually hate what they do day to day and save yourself a lot of time. Or you love it and now you can have a clear goal to march towards and possibly a relevant mentor.
Anonymous
It will not feel like it at the time, but everything works out in the end. The outcome may be different than you originally planned, but it will work out the way it is supposed to.
Anonymous
Someone told me “don’t think of your next job as the rest of your life - instead, think of it as the next chapter.” That was great to hear when I was sort of lost trying to figure out what I wanted to do.
Anonymous
Don’t ignore anything, that person is trying to give you advice for a reason! But don’t blindly follow along; spend some time figuring out why this person told you whatever they did and then decide whether or not to follow their advice.
Anonymous
Worry less and have fun. Enjoy the present and the opportunities currently in front of you. Time will bring all good things, but it will not bring more time.
Ojus Padston
Success will lead to happiness - past a certain point, more money doesn't increase happiness. If you're climbing a ladder, take a moment every now and then to pause and ask yourself why. You'll either keep climbing with more conviction, or choose to hop off.
Anonymous
Don't plan too far in the future. every experience is a learning one and a stepping stone. don't take any for granted and DO NOT compare yourself to others. It only harms you.
Erin B.
I'd tell Cornell students to follow their passions, even when everyone is telling them it's dumb. Is it harder than just going into whatever makes you the most money? Sure. But will it give you actual joy in your working life? Absolutely. Don't do things because everyone else is - cliche, but it's so hard to avoid the pressure to go into a field that you don't want to just because it pays a lot of money. There are ways to make your life enjoyable even on a small budget, and it teaches you how to manage your money from the get-go! Also, have a backup plan for when things fall apart or go wrong, because they will eventually.
Ignore any advice that says you can't do something because you're too ""x"". Break outside the boxes people have put you in and go for what you want. You may not always get it, but if you don't go for it, you'll always regret it.
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why?
Anonymous
"Perfection is overrated — just get it done.”
Anonymous
"Keep your eyes on the road.”
Ojus Padston
"Protect your community. Get vaccinated."
If everyone was vaccinated and boosted, the pandemic would be over. In many countries, this is not an option. But in wealthier counties, personal choices are causing unnecessary suffering.
Anonymous
“Breathe.” I think we are bombarded by so much on a daily basis, it would be a nice reminder to check in with yourself.