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Five Things for College Graduates to Know
    Hi, everyone. My name is David Owen. Today’s lecture will focus on what every college grad should know. I felt obligated to let you, college students, know what things to look out for when you graduate so you don’t get railroaded. I will not waste your time with a long introduction, so without further ado, I present to you: 5 things every college grad should know.
    First of all, you have to understand: a degree does not entitle you to a job. It’s amazing to hear recent college graduates get so worked up about not being able to find a job. Here comes the tough love that you know is coming. Just because you got a degree, it doesn’t entitle you to a job. It’s time to get your head out of the sand. The days when all you needed was a college degree to get a job are long gone. Deep down inside, you know it’s true. Think back to your graduation. Remember your fellow classmates graduating with you? They too got degrees. Now, think of the thousand other graduations across the nation that occurred in the same month. They got degrees too. What’s going to separate you from them? Why should employers hire you instead of all the other clones? You must learn to differentiate yourself. What can you offer that these other people can’t? It’s not enough to put your future in the hands of an educational institution. It’s time to stop blaming the world. It’s time to take personal responsibility, and to have the courage to shape your future with your own hands.
    Secondly, please make sure to find what you love to do. The time you have after college is the time to find what you love to do. You are not burdened with the heavy responsibilities of a mortgage, family, or dependents. You’ll most likely move back home or room with a buddy. Use that time to find what you love to do. Don’t put it off. Otherwise, you may fall into the trap of getting a job just to get by and falling into a routine. I’m not saying it’s bad to get a job just to get by, but if that is all you are doing, and if you don’t have a goal, plan, or passion, to shoot for, the future looks very bleak for you.
    Aside from your job, you are also required to learn how to interact with people. Learning how to interact with people is probably one of the most valuable skills you can have in your belt. This is a "street smart" skill. Sure there are books on this, but the only way you can develop this skill is by putting it into practice constantly until it becomes second nature. This skill will come into play when you get your first job. Learn to make a habit of greeting people with a smile. Make small talk, get to know your co-workers, help them when they have a problem. Eat lunch with them. Talk about the TV shows you watch when you’re at the water cooler or about the cool blogs you visit on the net. Learn to be positive. Make people smile when they see you coming your way. You will find that the skill of comfortably interacting with people will help you when it comes time for promotion. This will also protect you from the next subject.
    In addition, you have to know: Practice CYA, you know, cover your ass. Office politics—yes, everything you’ve heard is true. Office politics does exist and it is not pretty. When it comes to downsizing, I’ve seen employees turn on the quiet employee in the corner like a pack of wolves and whisper to the managers that he or she must go. That’s why you should learn how to interact with people. When it comes to personal differences between employees and managers, managers will look for the smallest excuse to fire their employees. But even if you are the most charming employee ever, you should still CYA. Keep all emails-Back them up. Have everything in writing. If a potential problem or situation comes up, document it as fully as you can. Don’t trust your memory. If someone accuses you of something so bad that it could cost you your job, then you can calmly pull out all the information you saved and effectively CYA.
    The last thing is: build and maintain a new social network. When you graduate, you’re not going to be surrounded by your classmates and dorm buddies. The only people you will probably keep in touch with are your roommates and your frat buddies or any other close friends you made, but they will all be doing their own thing in different places. Building a social network is crucial. Studies have shown that having a strong social network leads to positive mental and physical health over the course of one’s life. So start building your social network. Don’t just stay at home and play video games and expect friends to magically show up at your doorstep. Go to places where you have a genuine interest and you will meet similar people there who share your interests, which is perfect fodder for friendships.
    I’m sure there are other things that every college grad should know, but I feel that the 5 discussed here are some of the more important ones that should be made known. So college grads: Take personal responsibility, find what you love to do, learn how to positively interact with people, always CYA, and build a strong social network. By doing these things, you will find it to be extremely beneficial and a worthwhile investment on your part.