Beech Tree News Network

Graduations are milestones, marking the end of one period and the beginning of another. The 2020 graduations have looked a little different, but that may make them more memorable. These joyful celebrations may include questions about the graduate’s future and advice about life.

Thinking about advice given to graduates, I asked friends and family, “If the opportunity arose, what advice would you give to a graduate?” Their responses are below:

-Choose a career where the job market is healthy and competitive.

-Travel while you are young without kids. Save as much money as you can to survive the rainy days ahead. Have clear, healthy boundaries – for work/life balance and in relationships with others. You can’t fix anyone else or manage other people’s relationships or feelings. Work on fixing yourself, your attitude, and acceptance of others.

-Become financially stable before you get married.

-Work hard to achieve all your goals and dreams!

-Be brave and go for what you want. Find a way to support yourself doing something you are passionate about.

-Get a loan ASAP. Pay it like you’re supposed to so you will establish good credit. Don’t live on the pride of paying cash. If your dream job is far-fetched, choose an enjoyable job that will have a high demand. Don’t wait and waste years on something you won’t enjoy as much, like I did.

-Continue your education but make sure it’s for a career you want. I hear of so many kids going to college just because they think it’s the next step in life and they have to go. Tech schools or other training like lineman school or going through workplace training for a job is always ok, too.

-Education is important, but it doesn’t always mean college. Find a fit for you, whether it’s traditional college, tech school or something else. The important thing is to never stop learning. Life has taught me so many lessons that I couldn’t learn in a classroom. Try to learn something new often. Don’t ever think you know everything about anything. And no matter what you choose, ground yourself in the Word of God. I can always open it and learn something new, even if I’ve read the same scripture 100 times.

-Don’t borrow any more money than you absolutely have to for your future endeavors.

-Get a good job in their chosen field, of course. Then put aside a little money each month in investments. Invest and let time work for you. But I know of no young person who ever does this. Everyone can save $50 or $100 per month surely.

-Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone in your chosen profession and personal life. Live daily.

-Choose a career that you enjoy, whatever it is. Set goals and work hard to reach them. Don’t sell yourself short or settle for what doesn’t give you peace and don’t forget to enjoy life.

-Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly from Micah 6:8. Find somebody who demonstrates these qualities with whom you can spend time. Find a church whose members share your values. Marry carefully. Pray a lot. Sounds simple, but it’s not easy.

-At the next level, focus on their school work or work.

-Learn what’s truly important, and focus on those things. Don’t worry about what you can’t change. Really, I guess that’s advice for any age.

-Income is not only determined by salary/hourly rate because benefits are worth a tremendous amount. Younger folks aren’t too concerned with that. Secondly, contribute all you can to your retirement that the company will match.

-Get some type of schooling – minimum wage doesn’t cut it.

-I advise new high school graduates to continue their education, but to consider tech or trade schools in addition to colleges. For older graduates, I strongly suggest starting retirement and savings funds immediately.

Daniel Greenberg said of graduation, “Some go on to trade schools or get further training for jobs they are interested in. Some go into the arts, some are craftsmen, some take a little time out to travel, and some start their own businesses. But our graduates find and work at what they want to do” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/graduation-quotes_3). Graduates have decisions to make. And I wish our Butler County graduates success in whatever path they choose.