-This is a very bad beginning. Everyone is off at a bad beginning. I was awful at advertising and even I wasn’t a great teacher with you and the batch before you. Forgive yourself quickly, keep moving, learn as you go.
-We are in a state of flux. If you can, take care of yourself and your loved ones first. Jobs come and go, but it is difficult to return to a semblance of sanity. It’s even more difficult to get back the lost trust of loved ones.
-Because we are in a state of flux – to heck with those milestones of getting promoted, married, having kids. Just take every small win as it comes in this lockdown.
-The big name companies you vied for may not operate as big or as well as you thought. Learn what makes them work, but also know that you can do better.
-You can start by working for free, exposure, or experience, but understand what they want and be firm about what you’re willing to give.
-You will not outgrow your real friends.
-You do not have to monetize that skill or hobby you love. Not earning from them doesn’t mean you love them less.
-Give yourself a few more years to work before going to graduate school. Trust me on this.
-As you grow older, you will not be able to do as much as you do on a few hours of sleep. Take those naps, set your own curfew, figure out how you work when you need to work.
-Just because you can have fastfood 3x a day doesn’t mean you should.
-Friends and family do not always make great coworkers.
-If you must post a controversial opinion in public, consider first if you’re willing to or even want to engage with the comments section.
-Your real mentors and friends will be honest with you. Listen carefully and build from there.
-Come to terms with your irrationality, biases, and pet peeves. They may not always be processed or corrected, but they could be worked through.
-Get to know lots of different people from different backgrounds. You don’t have to be friends, but do make your world bigger. Not like anyone can do an Eat, Pray, Love in a time of covid.
-Be very wary of any person, speaker, or program that promises a linear map to success, ESPECIALLY NOW.
-If your career does not reflect your course — that is a good thing. Don’t limit yourself to your degree or the school you graduated from.
-If you haven’t already, you may begin to see your parents as people. Deal with them as best as you can. For those with more difficult parents and complex relationships, find out what really brings out the best of you and work from there.
-You won’t believe me now, but know that dreams change, and you are not a failure if you have to let them go.
-If it doesn’t work out, say “Thank you, Next.” You can even sing it and sashay away, with style.
Congratulations batch 2020. Hang in there. And through the worst of this, find good, do good.
