14 Tips for the High School Class of 2014

1. Always carry a notebook. You never know when an idea will strike. (This post was born in mine.)
2. Start building your professional network now. It’ll come in handy later (and that may be sooner than you think).
3. Learn every day. Formal education is important but remember that some of your most important lessons will come outside the classroom.
4. An inspired professor (adviser, coach, counselor, etc.) can change your life.
5. Be proud of how you got here and plan for the future, but always live in the moment. You miss so much when you don’t.
6. Work hard but take a moment for yourself now and then. College (and life) should be fun too.
7. Be a broke college student/young professional now so you can live a little later.
8. Take a risk. Do something that makes you nervous — and excites you.
9. Always think of real world applications. How will this class help prepare me for a career? How will this degree help me pursue my dreams? How does this apprenticeship prepare me for my future?
10. Intern, intern, intern. (And that doesn’t mean you have to work for free.)
11. Call your Mom once in awhile. She’ll appreciate it. 🙂
12. Take good advice. (The hard part is knowing which advice is good.)
13. Make your own decisions. Others can recommend, suggest and help guide you, but you’re responsible for your education and life.
14. Some may think its cheesy, but take the time to walk on graduation day. You’ll be glad you did later.

Share Your Real World Experience

What other tips do you have for this year’s high school graduates?

What do you wish you would have known at 18 years old?

What’s something that you did that worked wonders for you?

p.s. Did you know CCC helps with resumes, cover letters and personal essays, too? They’re a big part of your personal brand, which we all have today, like it or not. What does your personal brand say about you?

Class of ’99 and ’03,
Jaime

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