High School and College Grads Inspired to Seek Extraordinary Lives and Careers

A recent local high school graduation included impressive personal and academic statements by grads. 

After that event, I paid more attention to television coverage of college and university commencement programs. Many speakers told graduates "the world's future is depending on you," "'you are our hope for the future," and "go forth, and have a wonderful life and career."

I think you and I agree with those high hopes. However, many university graduates wonder, "How will I help the world or develop a wonderful life and career?" They think: "I have enough on my plate dealing with now, much less thinking far into the future." At college and university levels, students carry heavier concerns than they did when ending high school. They worry more than their smiles and laughter will reveal.

At their age, I could not define "wonderful life" or "important career" beyond being with my boyfriend, whom I later married: Jim! Although he got a good career start and I enjoyed my first teaching job, I think we really grew up most through being married and raising our daughters.

Along the way, far away from college and early marriage and parenting days, we were surprised to learn that a new dream, to move to Switzerland, materialized. We lived in that beautiful Alpine country for 10 years; Jim directed the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an inter-governmental organization that is headquartered in Geneva. We could never have foreseen this opportunity when we were in college.

In 1998, when we returned home to Maryland USA, Jim was invited by our alma mater, Furman University, to speak to a student leadership fraternity, the Quaternion Club. I went along and we reunited with classmates and faculty, while meeting some sharp young students there.

When we got back home, I urged Jim to let me format his Quaternion speech for a monograph, and he said OK.

I am not shy about bragging on my husband and I enjoy sharing his ideas as well as my own. I listened carefully as he prepared and gave his speech to student leaders. Jim focused on how the early years in family often influence careers and decisions farther down the road, more than we intend or may even want. 

I knew about Jim's family background among very poor families in the Appalachian Mountains and struggling migrant workers of Florida's orange groves. I knew that at his university graduation, Jim focused on a career dealing with government policy, management, and career public service. He also hoped to have a more stationary life than he had known. He has achieved that, for the most part, in the hectic Washington, DC, context most of the time.

Early in Jim's career, I framed for him a quote given to his class at Syracuse University's Maxwell School. He put it on various office walls throughout his early career. It is from the Oath of the Athenian City State:

We will ever strive for the ideals and sacred things of the city, both alone and with many; we will unceasingly seek to quicken the sense of public duty; we will revere and obey the city's laws; we will transmit this city not only not less, but greater, better and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.

Jim read that quote to the Furman Quaternion student leaders and then told them about early influences in his home:

Career development is a lifetime preoccupation that combines good preparation with lots of old fashioned hard work. In my own experience as a child, how could I ever have imagined that following my missionary parents around the mountains of Appalachia and into the migrant worker fields of Florida's orange groves would be my introduction later to career work among the world's disadvantaged? It was not something that I envisioned for myself.

Then, he mentioned university influences:

…At Furman, I was introduced to the amazing world of political science, and I learned the value and fun of an inquiring mind and a liberal arts education concentrating on broad cultural perspectives. Later on, I found this background helped keep me focused on the big global picture and the inter-workings of culture, aspirations, and national interests of all players. How could I ever have imagined that I was being equipped at Furman with such important tools for my life's work? I also discovered that hard work pays off. And, I met my partner for life, my wife….

He mentioned mentors at Furman, such as Dr. Ernie Harrill, who helped him get into the Maxwell Graduate School at Syracuse University. There, he began "a more in-depth inquiry into the mechanics of governance."

Next, he mentioned Prof. Roscoe Martin, "a major mentor" at the Maxwell School. He said that Dr. Martin "suggested spending the early years of my government career developing expertise in four key professional areas: (1) program and financial management, (2) human resource development, (3) fund-raising and (4) Congressional relations. I was fortunate," he said, "to be selected for assignments that made possible the pursuit of these key areas."

Jim also mentioned to the Quaternion student leaders his years at the U.S. Department of State. The refugee needs of the Vietnam War era had led to a new U. S. refugee program, which he helped create. He was chosen for the job due to expertise in areas Dr. Martin had advised him to develop skills for: program and financial management, human resource development, fund-raising, and Congressional relations. 

I can tell you that I remember that our personal lives, like the Vietnam War era, were in turmoil during that time. Nevertheless, Jim accepted the assignment from Deputy Secretary of State Warren Christopher to oversee the establishment of the new bureau for refugees. Jim became its first chief operating officer in those dangerous times.

We eventually found our way and began to renew our appreciation for the influences of our parents and our upbringing. Both our families had taught us to reach out and to seek the best in every situation.

In his address to the student leaders at Furman, Jim summarized everything by crediting home, university and graduate school mentors, and unexpected opportunities as key to his preparation for  "an extraordinary, life-changing experience." Through U. S. and international work, he was able to deal nationally and internationally with governments, non-governmental organizations, and religious institutions. Together, nations, institutions, and groups helped rescue and assist multitudes of refugees and migrating people. They were in peril due to war, disease, natural disasters, or other causes.

Another key example I can give you of everyday people helping others is what merchant seamen of the ship, Rose City, did one truly dark and dangerous night. Later, Jim helped present the prestigious Nansen Award to the Rose City's captain and some of her crew. The Rose City did what many ships did not do in those times, which was to stop and risk sea men's lives in dark  waters. Only bravery could rescue refugee children and adults adrift in Asian waters. They were seeking refuge and better lives. Yet, they continually faced peril due to their small boats sinking and pirate boats known to be in the region. In the humanitarian arena, the Nansen Award, which the Rose City's merchantmen received, is equal to Pulitzer and Nobel awards.

There are so many graduating students who cannot imagine the unlikely, yet rewarding, careers awaiting them as they face studies, graduation, first jobs, contacts, and opportunities. I think the best that families, faculty, and commencement speakers can give to high school and university graduates rests within the three areas of Jim's focus: family support and good examples; good mentors; and hard work to prepare for the present opportunities and the ones to follow. 

At the high school graduation I began these comments with, one quote recurred, saying that the end is in the beginning, and the beginning is in the ending. Life proves this to be so.

You are a family member or other mentor for others. You know that the ingredients are simple and yet profound. For example, I think that being an available role model with high standards of professional and moral behavior sets the best foundation to offer to those at home, school, and work. Many people, young and older, do not have a supportive family. Many are seeking GED or college degrees with little encouragement from those nearest them.

In addition, you and I can continue to mentor through community volunteer opportunities. And, we can, like the Rose City merchant seaman, just do our very best wherever we are, to help others in dire need.

The high school graduation I mentioned in the beginning was that of a young man who soon will enter the university that was his first choice. I tutored him as a volunteer in English composition. I think the main writing tips he will take to college are to write more simply, with focus and good organization, applying research, thoughtful reasoning, and confidence. I believe he is ready. Beyond that, the future is open and largely unknown.

What he will take with him to college this fall agrees with Jim's comments to student leaders at Furman University, for this young man also has family encouragement undergirding him. Add that to good preparation through an outstanding high school experience and much has been received already to prepare for the next step. 

I hope what I have put in this commentary will encourage you as you share your knowledge and personal encouragement with students, of whatever age. I believe that every man or woman, young or older, whether of humble or auspicious beginnings, has the possibility to prepare for surprising opportunities that may seem routine or even dull or unappreciated, yet that can lead to an adventurous career in months or years in the future.

Note: Quotes from the Furman University Quaternion Address are from the monograph titled, The Perils of Unresolved Humanitarian Problems: A Region of Crisis -the Middle East by James N. Purcell, Jr._© 2002. Used by permission.

» left by Deirdre Reilly

from Boston, MA 3 years 344 days ago.

This is a great article, and I agree with Jane! She is an awesome writer, and i hope high schoolers will be encouraged by grown-ups to read this essay as they prepare for college. Great job, Jane!

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» left by Jane Bullard 3 years 344 days ago.

Deirdre, Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my article! I am glad you like it and share my interests in education.

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