The Advice I Wish I'd Received: "You'll Be Okay"

As a seemingly successful advertising executive with more than 35 years of experience, I'm often asked, "How did you get to be so old?"

I kid. That's what people WANT to ask. But what they actually ask me quite often is this:

"What advice do you wish someone had given you at the start of your career?"

Advice? I wish they'd just handed me money. Boy was I poor. Sleeping on couches. Eating mayonnaise sandwiches. Having four drinks at home before I went out, since I couldn't afford to buy more than a couple at the Chicago bars.

Anyway — I so totally have undiagnosed ADD or ADHD, by the way, right? — when they ask me what advice I wish I'd been given, I usually say this:

"I wish someone had told me I'd be okay."

Just that. Because I was afraid I wasn't gonna make it. And as I've gotten older and spent more time with young people at home and at work, I've learned this feeling is quite common. (In fact, at this time of year, with a ton of college seniors staring down the barrel of graduation, the stress levels are rising for parents and kids alike.)

Life? It feels HARD sometimes. Especially when you've reached a transition as significant as the one that occurs right after college — that is, if you're lucky enough to get there and get through it.

But college kids (and their parents), if you've ever wondered if college was worth it, consider this: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows that, in general, higher levels of education are associated with lower unemployment rates and higher earnings. In 2021, the unemployment rate for those with a bachelor's degree or higher was 3.5%, compared to 6.2% for those with only a high school diploma (BLS, 2022). Those are pretty good odds! Is/was college worth it, you might wonder? Probably so. Literally, probably.

Nonetheless, when you're a college graduate just starting your career, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the fear that you won't find a good job, earn a living, or make a meaningful life for yourself.

Anxiety is a common feature of the lifestage. And: it sucks! Even better: It's ill-founded. (And if you're suffering from serious anxiety and/or depression, I can't say this more emphatically: Get help. Few things — maybe no things — have helped me as much as weekly talk therapy. And, as I've written in the past, there's nothing more important to your success than paying attention to your mental and physical wellbeing.)

A study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that the job outlook for college graduates actually has improved in recent years, with employers planning to hire 31.6% more graduates from the Class of 2022 compared to the previous year (NACE, 2022). (Some two years later, unemployment remains low, and hiring prospects remain rosy.)

Looking back at my own journey and those of my peers - my freshman corridor mates, friends, and fraternity brothers - I've realized that pretty much everyone, even those who seemed the least prepared and who had the worst personalities, eventually found their way. Yes, even the dim bulbs and the socially awkward. (And you're neither of those, as far as you know.) Unless stricken by disease or addiction, virtually everyone I "came up with" has found a career; and most have found a relationship that suits them.

Of course, this didn't happen for everyone at the same pace.

Some started out ahead, only to fall back later, while others who seemed to be lagging behind ended up surging forward. (I was in this latter camp. Man did I lag.)

The truth is, life isn't a race. It's not about how you start; it's about how you finish. And we're all going to finish in a box or a vase anyway, so maybe lighten up, Francis/Frances!

But seriously: The only way to ensure you'll finish the race, as trite as it may sound, is to never give up. Like, never. Let life decide when it's done with you, not the other way around.

So, to all the young graduates out there, as you sit on the starting line of the race of your life, remember this: as long as you don't quit, you're going to be okay. It might take time, and the path may not be straight or easy, but you will find your way. You'll discover your strengths, overcome challenges, and build a life that is uniquely yours. And maybe, someday, if you're lucky, you'll write a compelling LinkedIn essay just like this one, albeit with fewer digressions.

Take it from someone who's been there. Embrace the journey, stay the course, and know that you'll be okay.

Your struggles and anxiety? They are but the yeast in the bread of your life.

Trust me: You're gonna rise.