Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself. Don’t give advice. Don’t take advice.
Along with her usual funny take on life, this is what Ellen Degeneres told Tulane graduates in a recent commencement address. And then, of course, she proceeds to give them her own unique melange of career advice anyway. And she lets us in on some of the things she went through to get where she is.
No college degree. Wandered from job to job while young. No idea what she was doing or where she was going. Literally aimed in a new direction because of an accident. (See Louise…there are accidents.) And then after achieving career success, she was plummeted into what amounted to career exile because she dared to finally be herself and come out.
Here’s the YouTube clip of Ellen at Tulane. It’s just under 10 minutes, but well worth hanging in to the end. Funny. Entertaining. And yes…despite her humorous take on things… totally inspirational career advice.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPTMyaySoc0
And now she’s more popular than ever. Or in her words “I’m not saying you wasted your time. But look at me. I’m a huge celebrity.”
I love stuff like this. There’s no one way to achieve career success. And sometimes by the time we actually get there, so many things have changed, it’s just a stop on the way to where we REALLY want to be.
Good luck getting there…wherever or whatever it may be!
Ronnie Ann
Have you had a less than linear path in your own career? What’s your definition of success? What would you tell graduates?
What a terrific post! Perfect timing. Completely inspiring, very funny and filled with the truths that experience brings. This is truly an exceptional year for grads (well for everyone actually). They have the possibility of bringing great vision and positive action to a world in need of courage and creativity.
Thanks LA811. I like your positive way of looking at things. I graduated during a deep recession, and even though it was not easy finding the “right” job, there were opportunities to be had – and to be made.
Good luck to all the new grads out there…as well as to all us not so new ones!
Ronnie Ann
Loved it!!
Hi eLiz!
Nice to see you. Hope all is well in your world…wherever that may be by now. Glad you enjoyed it so much. I love it too.
Ronnie Ann
I really like the way this woman expresses herself. I like how she can keep reinventing herself while also staying true to herself. Entertaining; funny; poignant; useful.
What could be better?
Totally agree Muse. Nicely put. I like the idea of reinventing ourselves while staying true to who we are. I could wish no less for all of us.
Will check up on you soon. Otherwise I know the trouble you can get into.
Ronnie Ann