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Walking to the subway this week, I encountered a sea of NYU graduates surrounding me on the sidewalks around my office building. Their distinct Mayfair violet gowns reminded me of a habit I’ve developed this time of year, which is to revisit Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs’s 2005 Stanford University commencement address, which I still regard as one of the best.
I have an updated new favorite, which I shared with my daughters—one of whom is almost halfway through her college journey, the other about to start hers. Both are grappling with decisions about where to focus their academic studies, and like most of us in the professional world, wondering what impact technology and AI will have on our future.
Microsoft CFO Amy Hood’s commencement address this past weekend at Duke University offers some solid advice.
“Your next step doesn't have to be a perfect one. It just has to be an opportunity,” Hood said in her address. And this really struck me:
Key quote: “So here's the one thing I wish someone had told me a lot sooner. There aren't many one-way doors. People and frankly, even places like Duke, can wire you to believe that every decision is make or break. I see now that most of the choices I agonized over, shed tears over, lost sleep over, had a perfectly accessible undo button.”
Hood concluded with three other keys things to remember:
Learn, and stay curious when things don't make sense.
“The world's going to change on you more than once and in ways nobody in the stadium can predict… Stay curious when things stop making sense, and please ask questions when everyone around you is already pretending they know or have the answer.”
Build and lean on your community.
“These people sitting next to you, the ones who pull all-nighters, who made you laugh when everything felt impossible, this is your community. Invest in them, celebrate them, be there. You will find that they are there for your entire life's best and lowest moments. Four years quickly turns into 40 years of friends. It is as a CFO, the best return you'll ever get.”
Show up.
“Be in the room, ask questions, put yourself out there,” she said. “Remember there aren't that many one-way doors, so go blow through a few of those things. And if you get a no, just try a new door.”
To see Hood’s address in its entirety, click here.
✏️ What is your best advice for the class of 2026? Or what qualities in new graduates do you value most in hiring? Hit Reply to this newsletter to share your responses, and we may share the most insightful answers.
And now, back to our regular programming…
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