I wasn’t invited to give a graduation speech this spring. Still, I was prepared, and since a good speech is a terrible thing to waste, I offer it to you now.
Ladies and gentlemen of the Class of 2023:
You did it. You worked hard, and you stuck it out even when you wanted to quit. You persevered, and for that, I offer my sincerest congratulations. Lest you conclude that you’ve just crossed the finish line, let me point out that you have just arrived at the starting gate.
Now it’s time to run the race.
Get a job. I know it is your intention to get a job, but do not extend to yourself the luxury of taking the summer off. There’s a pervasive attitude among college students that really great jobs await those with degrees. Yes, it is true that your lifetime earnings are likely to surpass what your peers without degrees can expect to earn, but not in the beginning. To achieve lifetime earnings, one must actually become employed….