A Letter to 2020 Grads (and their supporters)

I remember graduation day. It was full of possibilities, wonder, questions. A little bit of worry too. I worried,

"What will I do next?" ...and I wondered, "Where will I go now?"

There were so many amazing possibilities. It reminded me of something my parents read to me when I was little:

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know. 
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go."
 
-Dr. Seuss. Oh, The Places You'll Go!

 

This was the book that captured everything I was thinking and feeling.

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On my graduation day it felt like I could do anything and go anywhere.

How about our 2020 grads?

Dreaming of all the places they will go is even more important for them. And we need to help them.

When the Dr. Seuss team reached out to partner with me on a campaign for 2020 grads helping them dream up all the places they can go, I jumped at the chance!

 Here is how we can support our recent grads:

1. Encourage Dreamers

Right now grads can feel out of control and worried about their future. But there are so many good things coming for them! Be a dreamstormer, not a dreamkiller.

  • Dreamstormers: Ask great questions, encourage, stoke and inspire. They say, "let's make it work!"
  • Dreamkillers: Bring up worries, are skeptical, cynical and pessimistic. They say, "that won't work."

2. Send Inspiration

 What does your grad need to hear right now? Send them a gift to inspire! No more gift cards or flowers.

  • Send them a card filled with advice and encouragement.
  • Send them a copy of Oh, The Places You'll Go! and write in advice and encouragement.
  • Get them 5 books that inspired you.
  • Write a recommendation on their LinkedIn profile.
  • Offer to help with their resume.
  • Offer them a mock interview session.

3. Start a Learning Bucket List with Them

One thing that happens after school is our learning becomes optional. Make sure your grad keeps their learning muscle flexed.

Start a Learning Bucket List with them. Ask them:

  • What have you always wanted to learn?
  • What skill do you wish you had?
  • What do you wish you knew more about?

Pick one big thing to learn each year and one small thing to learn each month.

This is a crazy time, but if we support each other we can grow together.

Congrats class of 2020!

Thank you for partnering with us for this campaign Dr. Seuss Enterprises!

#drseuss #ad


Mike Podell

Merchandising Assistant (science department)

4y

I'm finally graduating after 9 years. Working and going to school is tough. But I'm finally graduating and am feeling like I accomplished something that I never thought I would!

Patrick Cagney

Manager - Advice Remediation Assessment

4y

Vanessa, I loved the article and I have found a new mindset :Be a dreamstormer, not a dreamkiller". I am going to use that line from now on!

Omid Haidari

Solicitor at Azlan Lawyers

4y

Hi Vanessa, where can I get that book? 

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