You’ve Got This: A Note to the Class of 2025 (and the Rest of Us Too)

It’s graduation season—a time of caps, gowns, and wide-open possibilities.

Watching so many bright, hopeful new grads step into the unknown has made me reflect on my own beginnings. I remember standing in their shoes: a brand-new college degree in hand, a strong desire to see the world, and very little money to make it all happen.

I wasn’t sure where to begin.I just knew I had to start somewhere.

So I did.

Not every step I took was the “right” one.I accepted jobs that weren’t glamorous. Some didn’t pay well. Others had little to do with my degree.

But each one taught me something—about workplaces, about industries, and most of all, about myself.

Through trial, error, and a lot of life in between, I began to understand my strengths. I learned what energized me—and what didn’t. I stayed curious, kept learning, and followed the breadcrumbs.

Eventually, I found my way into a career in human resources—then into a leadership role running a business unit within the Office of the CEO in the financial industry, and now, into coaching and leadership development—work I find deeply meaningful.

Here’s what I know now that I didn’t know then:

You don’t have to have it all figured out.Most people don’t. And that’s okay.

What will help you figure it out?

• Build real relationships.Stay in touch with classmates. Reach out to mentors. Connect with people you admire.You never know who might open a door—or walk part of the journey with you.

• Know when to move on.It’s easy to stay where things are comfortable. But the sooner you get used to change, the easier it’ll be to pivot when it matters most.

• Keep learning.About your field. About the world. And about yourself.The path won’t always be straight. That’s okay. It’s still progress.

• And most of all—trust yourself.No one knows you better than you do.

To the Class of 2025:Congratulations. Celebrate this milestone.

Then take stock. Do you have what you need?A solid résumé. A thoughtful LinkedIn profile.A few trusted mentors.A network of peers who challenge and support you.

Stay connected to your classmates. Save their names.One day, they might be the key to something big—for you, or for them.

Wherever life takes you next, lead with kindness, curiosity, and courage.

You’ve got this.

Now go get ’em.