Que Sera, Sera?

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Life is different.   That’s what everyone says when they’re asked to give millenials advice.   Because folks no longer sign on with one employer for life, because our skill sets must change, our needs change.

I don’t know.  I’ve been advising my kids, my students, and folks who honored me by choosing me as their mentors pretty much the same way for decades.

best

I knew I wanted to be a chemical engineer way back when I was 8 years old.  I knew I wanted to invent an artificial kidney.  I was lucky enough to do both.  Which meant I neeed to rethink my life’s goals.  Because I was pretty young when these were accomplished.

So, I went into water treatment, wastewater reuse, respiratory care, dry cleaning… The list goes on. Still, to this day.

But, I was lucky.  Because back then a chemical engineering curriculum meant you were immersed in chemistry, biology, finance, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, physics, thermodynamics, mathematics… Which I supplemented with marketing, management, technical English, medicine, among other things.

And, as time went on, I kept my knowledge and experience in each of these fields current. So, whenever something new arose, I was able to feel comfortable and competent to address the issues at hand.

Which is exactly how I advised my children and mentees.  Because no matter how smart you are, you really don’t know how the world will change.  So, that means you need to pick something to study that truly resonates in your soul.   Not, your passion- because that may or may not be the true interest of your life.  (How many of you wanted to be a fireman or a policeman when you grew up?  Yes, I still say I am a chemical engineer; even though my efforts barely remain 15% in that field.)  No, you want to pick something you do well, piques your interest, and will keep making you want to learn more and more about it for the rest of your life.  You- not your parents, not your mentors, no one but you.

Sure, I would have loved my kids to join my firm and efforts.  But, they danced- and still dance- to their own drummer. And, for that I am prouder than you can imagine.

And, while money is important, but not all encompassing.  Many folks have quit very well paying jobs to venture into their own journey.  Another of my friends- well over 50 years old- just did so the other day. Will she make as much as she did in her previous occupation?   She doesn’t care.  But, I’m guessing she will- because her skills, her organization, her drive will now be focused on this new avenue.

The one thing I’m positive my parents taught me (that was positive) was that no matter what I did, I had to be the best at it. Oh, I know, that’s not politically correct;  But, I still believe you are supposed to do your best.

And, I’m a Phillies phan.  Our team may be doing its best (even though management traded away Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Cole Hamels), but that’s simply not good enough.  So attendance at the games has dropped from total sellouts (45K in a stadium that holds 40K) to the lowest attendance at the stadium ever- to around 15K.

Doing your best is good.  It’s just as important to know that doing your best may not make you the best there is.  But, you do your best anyway.

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