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| Buffet & Gates billionaire philanthropists |
It is the time of year when people are entering the
work force full time for the first time in their lives. Whether you are graduating from high school
or college the next step feels like a big one! Most people have a feeling of uncertainty and anxiety. What’s next? Will I be able to find a job?
What if I make the wrong career choice?
This week, I want to take a look at some career advice for
new graduates. As our guides or mentors,
I have selected 2 pillars from the American Business Community: Bill Gates and
Warren Buffett.
Career Advice
QUESTION:
Mr.Buffett, Mr. Gates, I am Ibrahim Dolly and I came from Portugal. I have a question for both of you. You both knew early in your careers what you
wanted to do in your life. What advice
do you have for those of us who are a little bit unclear?
GATES: Well, finding
the thing that you are passionate about and that you are good at can sometimes
take a period of years. I think Warren
and I were lucky we kind of ran into it. I wasn't even sure it was
software. I was kind of obsessed with
it but then it wasn't clear it could be a career. When that happened, it was great. I think most other people get into their 20s and have to try out
some different experiences. And some
things will expose you to a lot of different businesses, a lot of different
work opportunities. And I think you can
make your first few jobs optimized for getting that exposure. And then when you want it, see the thing
that you want to be fanatical about and just jump on to that.
BUFFETT: First of
all, I'd say marry the right person. [LAUGHTER] And I'm serious about that.
[APPLAUSE] It will make more
difference in your life. It will change
your aspiration, all kind of things.
It's enormously important who you marry. Beyond that, I would say that do what you would do if you were in
my position, where the money means nothing to you. At 79, ... I work every day.
And it's what I want to do more than anything else in the world. The closer you can come to that early on in
your life, you know the more fun you're going to have in life and really the
better you're going to do. So don't be
driven where you think the last dollar is presently or anything of that
sort. And then also go to work, if
possible, for an organization or an individual that you admire. I mean I offered to go to work for Ben
Graham because there was nobody I admired more in the business than him. I didn't care what he paid me. When he finally did hire me in 1954, I moved
from Omaha to New York and I didn't know what I was getting paid until I got my
first paycheck. But I knew I wanted to
work for Ben Graham. And I knew I would
jump out of bed every morning and be excited about what I would do and I would
go home at night smarter than I was in the morning. Go to work at a job that turns you on and a person that turns you
on and institution. [APPLAUSE]
Talking Points
Have you found your ‘passion in life’?
Have you found something you are ‘good at’?
What do you want to do after graduation?
Does your ‘passion’ and ‘what you are good’ at suit your
career path?
Is it always possible to make your passion your career?
Do you agree with Mr. Buffett that “marrying the right
person” is important to your career?
To view these excellent visionaries of business go to CNBC
To all of the graduates entering the work force for the
first time: good luck, enjoy, and always be yourself!
ALEX
