Celebration and cheer are in the air as b-school students flip their tassels, get their long awaited diplomas, reflect on their past two years, and contemplate what the future holds. According to a recent Bloomberg Businessweek article, "Goodbye B-School, Hello World," expectations are high for the class of 2010.
Graduation speakers are choosing their words wisely to leave new MBAs with a feeling of triumph and opportunity—rather hard to come by sentiments given the economic crisis of the last two years—without neglecting the sometimes harsh reality of a recovering economy.
The following quotes come from keynote speakers' speeches or their notes for forthcoming speeches:
"There will absolutely be setbacks and rejection, and this is the best time of one's life to grapple with these challenges….[Graduates] are young, optimistic, full of drive. A time of unprecedented economic crisis is the perfect opportunity to develop and use their unique, fresh perspectives and skill sets." (Ken Denman, chief executive of Openwave, speaker at University of Washington Foster School of Business)
"I am a committed capitalist, not the Fairy Godfather." (Todd Stitzer, former CEO of Cadbury, speaker at Columbia Business School)
"If you believe in what you're saying, if you believe in what you're doing, you'll be more effective, more passionate, and more authentic in everything you do." (Seth Goldman, co-founder of Honest Tea, speaker at the American University Kogod School of Business)
"Have an interest that takes you totally away from the business world, whether it's skiing, windsurfing, hiking, meditation, opera, or some worthwhile nonprofit….You have to step outside your daily environment, not only to replenish your spirit, but so you can strategically review where you are, where you are going, and what you should do next." (Richard C. Blum, chairman of Blum Capital Partners, speaker at UC Berkeley Haas)
"Entrepreneurs objectify their idea into a company that is in fact the generating machine of jobs in America….[I]t is business, not government, that creates all wealth." (Carl J. Schramm, CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, speaker at Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business and Management)
Related Accepted.com Blog Posts:
- B-School Students See Light at the End of the Job Market Tunnel
- Good News for MBAs: Job Opportunities Abound!
- GMAC: MBA Employers Express Job Market Optimism
- The Make-Your-Own-Job Solution
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