Do you get alumni updates from your high school or college? Facebook is a daily reminder of my friends’ achievements and accomplishments, and is a great way to see what they’re up to since the days of studying around the clock.
Hey, I took beer and wine appreciation as an elective — this was homework!
Facebook is fine, but I find that the hard copy of my alumni magazine is an in-my-face, gut-checking, what have I done with myself moment. I don’t just skim through — I read the articles, especially the updates on people who graduated with me or since.
This week, I got this bad johnny in the mail:
It’s a list of 25 graduates of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications — my alma mater — and a brief biography of all they’ve accomplished. I graduated in 2002, and most of the people on this list are about my age or much (much, much) younger.
There are CEOs, national news anchors, lifesavers and more. They all credit their college education with giving them the right foundation for a successful career. Of course, they all have some smarmy advice for those who want to be like them…stuff like:
- Be a voracious consumer of content — make sure to read everything you can get your hands on!
- Be willing to take risks
- Have an open mind and move quickly
- Insert your cliche here
Do I sound snarky? I don’t mean to. It’s just that success is defined differently for everyone. As I laid out in this post, my life has taken a much different path than I envisioned. I’m much happier than I would have been, and I wake up every day excited about my job, and my personal life. But would my fellow ’02 grads look at my biography on paper and think I’m “one to watch?”
There are lots of people who will try and give you advice for getting ahead, and I don’t want to take anything away from the people listed in the magazine. I mean, one of the guys co-founded Foursquare, and another has been nominated for an Emmy. They earned their spots, and deserve the kudos.
(BTW, I also recently learned that a fellow student of mine is on “The Bachelorette!”)
I have advice, too. And it’s simple. So, I figured I might as well make my own “One to Watch” bio.
Oh, and here’s one more reason to watch me…the TV Show I produce is going national.
About Katy
I just received that in the mail as well. I will now be watching 26 inspirational Newhouse grads
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Out of all of the advice given being nice to others is by far the best! Karma has a way I tell ya
. Great post!
I totally agree with the advice about being nice to others. You never know who you’ll run into down the road–or whose help you will need one day.
Great advice and congrats on the show going national! That’s awesome.
I love this post and totally agree with you on how many “leaders/innovators/whatever you wanna call em” ppl state cliche and uninspirating tips.. CONGRATS ON YOUR SHOW! That is awesomeeee times 1 billion (and then infinite)
Congrats on the success of your show! I just lost my job, and I’m trying to learn as much as I can about social media and how I can use it to do what I love. It’s inspiring to meet people like you who are love their work and are willing to help others do the same. Thank you.