June 2, 2025

College Grads: You've got this

For college grads In this short solo-episode, I hope to send a message of encouragement to college grads. Standing at life's crossroads after graduation doesn't mean you need to have all the answers—just take that first step. You've got this. The path reveals itself through action, so it's important to make a start. Key Takeaways • Feeling uncertain is normal and where the significant growth begins • Life isn't about having a perfect plan, but about learning as you go...

For college grads

In this short solo-episode, I hope to send a message of encouragement to college grads.

Standing at life's crossroads after graduation doesn't mean you need to have all the answers—just take that first step. You've got this.

The path reveals itself through action, so it's important to make a start.

Key Takeaways

• Feeling uncertain is normal and where the significant growth begins
• Life isn't about having a perfect plan, but about learning as you go
• A recent reunion with former Texas Tech University students Traci Balmos and Jarret Mallon reminded me to stay open to change and curiosity
• Growth happens through bold, unprepared action rather than waiting for certainty
• The metaphor of driving uphill—you can't see what's ahead but the view becomes clear as you move forward
• Potential isn't about perfection; it's about perseverance and practice

If this message resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need encouragement. If you have a story to share or know someone who does, reach out to me at judyoskam.com.

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Check out my TEDx talk. Why you should take action - then figure it out.

00:00 - Welcome and Message to Graduates

01:08 - Post-Graduation Reality Check

02:03 - Reunion with Former Students

03:40 - Encouragement for New Beginnings

04:53 - Call to Share and Connect

WEBVTT

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Hi everyone and welcome to Stories of Change in Creativity.

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I'm Judy Oskam professor and lifelong learner, and on this solo episode, I want to talk directly to our recent grads and really anyone standing at a crossroads, unsure of the next step, at a crossroads, unsure of the next step.

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I've been thinking a lot about our graduates as they leave the university with their diploma in hand.

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Some are starting a new career.

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Many are searching for that very first job after college.

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It's a real time of change, but here's the truth.

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You don't need to have it all figured out, you don't need all the answers, you just need to start.

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As graduation season wraps up, we often get caught up in the celebration.

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We toss our cap in the air, there's hugs and handshakes and at Texas State, many students celebrate by jumping in the river.

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Some of you are thinking now what.

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Reality sets in and the questions begin what do I do now?

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Where do I go from here?

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Am I ready?

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Let me assure you you're ready.

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Feeling uncertain is normal.

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In fact, it's where growth begins.

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Life isn't about having a perfect plan.

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It's about taking action, learning as you go and figuring it out along the way.

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Well, that's not something that I just teach.

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It's something that I live.

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Most of my life I've lived that way.

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It's important to stay open to the magic At least it has been for me and last week I had a powerful reminder of why this mindset really matters.

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I had a chance to catch up with two students from the very first university class I ever taught many, many moons ago.

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This was at Texas Tech Traci Balmos and Jarrett Mallon.

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Well, that was years ago, but sitting down with them last week and hearing about their lives, their journeys, their ups and downs, it reminded me of how important it is to keep learning from and with each other.

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We laughed about some classroom moments and some classmates.

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We shared career updates and reflected on how much has changed, and yet we also talked about how the heart of the work stays the same the values, and Tracy and Jarrett have great values.

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They show up, they do their best and they stay open to growth and change.

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Seeing Traci and Jarrett thriving and adapting and still curious well, for me, that's what it's all about.

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Over the many years, they've both had some great career and life experiences, but the path wasn't always clear.

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But they started and they kept moving forward.

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But they started and they kept moving forward.

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I'm so proud of those two and am honored with any time they can share with me.

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I love sharing the journey, so here's what I want you to remember: Potential isn't about perfection.

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It's about perseverance and practice.

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Growth happens when we take bold, unprepared action, and you don't have to know the destination to begin the journey, you just have to start.

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If you're a new graduate or maybe you're starting something new, a move, a job, a reinvention, take a deep breath.

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You've got this.

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You don't need every answer.

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You just need the willingness to take the next step.

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And, trust me, the path reveals itself as you walk it.

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You know how it is when you're driving uphill and you can't quite see what's on the other side.

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There's a little bit of fear there and you're not really certain, but you keep moving forward anyway.

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And then suddenly the road opens up.

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The view becomes clear.

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That's how life works too.

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Keep going.

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You've got this.

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You deserve to be here and you can do it.

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If this message resonated with you at all, please share it with someone who you think might need a little encouragement, and if you've got a story to share, or know someone who does, reach out to me at judyoskam.

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com.

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Thanks for listening.