Much to my surprise, this was not the greatest accomplishment of my young life, or even of 2011. The next month I ran my first 1/2 marathon (a goal that initially had terrified me). Two months later I packed up my car like a Tetris game, found my sister to be an obliging passenger and drove across the country to Los Angeles. I knew a half a dozen people in the city, I had no job, no agent, no training or experience, little knowledge of the business, but I had BIG plans. Within a week I moved in, signed with a top agent and booked my first photoshoot. A month later, I booked my first TV show "Two and Half Men" and a trip to New York that would pay me 4 figures per day to model in front of thousands of people. I cried the day I booked that job. I didn't cry because I am over emotional (although that is also true). I cried because I realized that anything is possible. My whole life was ahead of me.
So that is my message for you- anything is possible. If you are staring at your diploma wondering what you are supposed to do now. Don't fret. Follow your heart. Don't be afraid to pursue a career that your degree doesn't necessarily support. Don't be afraid to move even further away from your family or to move back home if thats where your heart leads you. There is no easy track to success. It also doesn't have to be hard. When you focus on the meager job market or high cost of living you will experience a limited job search and bills you can't pay. Focus on the positive. You have so much to offer. Walk into every interview with the knowledge that they would be lucky to have you burnt into your mind.
In my line of work, I interview every day; each audition is a new job, a new company, a new boss, a freshly printed resume. So I have a lot to say on the interviewing process. My tips in nailing an interview- be yourself, show your passion, be knowledgeable about the company you are interviewing for and be patient. Don't get discouraged, there are so many jobs out there. Everything really does happen for a reason. As long as you keep pressing forward everything will work out as it should. The universe supports you. Your future is better than you can even imagine now. Good luck. May you live the life of your dreams and be happy.
Your degree is not the ultimate goal, it is the first major step in accomplishing your dreams. Enjoy your graduation weekend, enjoy your accomplishments, enjoy your life. As Katie Couric so wisely said in her graduation speech to the BU 2011 grad's:
Find the joy and when you feel it, let it wash over you.
