Dear Graduates

I was in Searcy this weekend. The smell of graduation was floating in the air. It's the season of the graduation card. For the first time not being a graduate, I browsed the section a few weeks ago. I have come to the conclusion that they are by far the cheesiest of all the greeting cards. Why? Because when do we ever in real life tell someone to "shoot for the moon" or that the "sky's the limit"? I propose uttering either of these phrases in person. Do it.

In all honesty, they don't make greeting cards that tell the truth. Because sometimes the truth isn't what we want to hear. I sure didn't. But I'm here, college graduates, to tell you what may become your truth-- and it's nothing to be ashamed of. And you're going to persevere and be just fine. The sky is the limit, but sometimes you have to take the long route.

No one tells you that after you put on your cap and gown and smile for a bunch of pictures that you are going to be totally lost. Sometimes you find yourself back on the beanbag in your parents' house asking if Mom can pick up some more Doritos on the next grocery run. Doritos may or may not be traded for proof of job application.

You don't take a shower for days as you endlessly search the world wide web for potential jobs. You will type in "accountant" and 1,000,000,000 search results will appear, none of them even remotely close to being an accountant position. Oh yes, Career Builder, I see exactly why pet groomer could fall into my category. Thanks. So glad I filled out your 80-page survey to be a part of your elite club of job finding specialists.

You will put on a JCPenney suit and tell someone you want to make $50,000 a year. Several closed doors later and you will be ecstatic about 20 grand and free donuts in the conference room.

People are no longer going to constantly praise you for mundane things. So you chugged a gallon of milk faster than your roommate. Big whoop. Show me your Microsoft Excel skills, son. You are constantly having to prove your worth, but in really boring ways. "Why would you be an asset to this company?" Unfortunately, you can't quote basketball season statistics or every honor society you have ever been in. Sorority involvements seem null and void as well. Instead, something like this comes out of your mouth: "I am a critical thinker who analyzes problems until I find the most efficient, fitting solution." You bet you do.

Facebook will make you cry. You will read statuses about people moving to exciting places, getting their dream jobs and finding the loves of their lives. But I promise you-- for every person that is posting this, 10 more paid thousands of dollars to say, "Caf or de-caf?"

You will have night terrors where you wake up and think, "I just got the wrong degree. I know I did. Why did I do that?"

It is suddenly totally acceptable for everyone and their brother to ask you very personal questions about your future. You're always safe with, "I'm just playing out all my options right now." They don't have to know that your options at that very moment are selling your old Beanie Babies and Pokemon cards for fast cash. Keep 'em guessing.

I'm not writing this to be everyone's favorite Debbie Downer. I'm writing it because I feel like it needs to be said. Because I flew out of college thinking I was hot, hot stuff and the fall from greatness was twice as long.

Just know that you aren't a failure and that a diploma isn't a one-way ticket to immediate life success. It takes time. It takes humility. It takes eating Ramen noodles every day for months. It takes tearful calls to Mom at midnight saying, "I'm sorry you paid for me to be unemployed." It takes her saying that she's proud of you no matter what.

I'm not going to end with that incredibly overused "If you shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you will land among the stars" quote. Oh wait. I just did. Darn.

Dream big, but start small. Search for a job, but find yourself as well.