After the Pomp and Circumstance
Empowering College Graduates

You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world. Tom Brokaw, former anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News

Life Commences for College Graduates

Every spring---across America’s college campuses---caps, gowns and tassels are measured, ordered, prepared, sorted and stacked. Like the annual march of the Emperor Penguins to the sea, this year’s college graduates march with pomp and circumstance to the ceremonial stage. Come June---unlike the penguins---some college graduates may feel like they’re marching in circles.

After the inspiring speeches, the cheers and the applause, many college graduates find themselves hit by mixed emotions. Some are bouncing as high as a pogo stick. Some have picked out the matting and frame for their diploma. Others are using their spirit towels as crying towels. Some are unexpectedly disoriented and frightened. Many feel ecstatic relief one minute and paralyzing fear the next.

Adulthood---and paying off student loans---is here, ready or not.

We Give and We Get

In a recent study by the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp), HR professionals said that, while employers are increasingly driven to find and keep the best employees, the pool of high-performing talent is shallower than ever.

According to other surveys, today’s college graduates seek more than status and money. “A meaning to life” mantra is also ringing in their ears. Actually, that sort of desire is a positive sign for both community and business. The echoing reply to that mantra may not be complicated at all. We give and we get.

Maybe that is one of life’s most important lessons, and it isn’t acquired from a college textbook or an academic lecture. As Tom Brokaw said, college graduates can use their degree as a ticket to change the world.

How Will Giving Help Map a Career Path?

Some graduates already have a job offer or two; some have no idea where to begin looking. Then others, much to their dread, are facing a “going back home to live with parents” scenario until their careers launch. After enjoying 4-5 years of independence, a return-to-the-nest landing is not exactly what many college graduates have in mind.

Given this confusing and question-filled time, some college graduates may choose to map out an alternative career path. Some may want to consider serving in a developing country or in a domestic public service role (such as the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps).

Public Service Hones Skills for the Global Marketplace

Today’s business owners know first hand how global our economy has become. In fact, the US Peace Corp website describes the practical business benefits that volunteers earn while training and serving. According to “Develop Skills for the Global Marketplace,” Peace Corps service results in real-world experiences and professional-marketability advantages.

When college graduates participate in foreign-service work, like the Peace Corps, they not only help “extend American compassion around the world,” they also acquire personal and career-enhancing knowledge and skills. In short, when college graduates take their degree and use it as a ticket to serve the world, they profit from valuable hands-on experiences which, in turn, ultimately helps American businesses compete and profit in the global marketplace.

Reap a Lifetime of Opportunities and Benefits

From a strategic human resources (HR) perspective, America’s businesses also benefit when these more-experienced college graduates return equipped with foreign language skills and a broader cross-cultural and economic understanding. For domestic or foreign-service volunteers, some sponsoring organizations also provide a lifetime of networking opportunities and other valuable resources, such as career workshops, job opportunities and noncompetitive eligibility for federal employment opportunities.

We can see then how a foreign service or domestic volunteering career-path strategy is a win-win for everyone: the college graduate, the business community, the country and, ultimately, the world.

For instance: the business community wins because employees, who experience working and living in another country---say, as a Peace Corps volunteer---also come readily prepared to:

• understand other cultures
• speak another language; and
• demonstrate leadership and adaptive skills.

What’s more, some public-service volunteers may be eligible for a deferment on their college loans, and they may receive retirement credit and full medical coverage benefits.

Encourage a Potential Notable for Your Workforce

In his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy ended his speech by these famous words:

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Regardless of political preference, most Americans agree that these words express and inspire a noble or honorable challenge. Today, almost 50 years later, many young college graduates are still moved by this challenge to serve.

Here is a list of notable former Peace Corps Volunteers in the Business and Industry category. Other notable volunteers, in areas such as arts and literature, are found on the Peace Corps website.

Bob Beckel, political analyst, Bob Beckel & Associates (Philippines 1971-72)

Heather Buckmaster, executive director, Oklahoma Beef Council (The Gambia 1992-94)

Charlie Clifford, founder, Tumi luggage (Peru 1967-1969)

Patricia Cloherty, chairman of The U.S. Russia Investment Fund (Brazil 1963-65)

Edward Dolby, president, Bank of America, Carolinas (India 1966-68)

John Earhart, chairman of the board and a founding shareholder of Global Environment Fund Management Corporation (Guatemala 1975-77)

David S. Geiman, chairman of the executive committee, board of directors, president and chief executive officer of the CattleSale Company (Sierra Leone 1967-70)

Samuel Gillespie III, senior vice president, Exxon Mobil Corp. (Kenya 1967-69)

Jan Guifarro, World Wide Director of Global Consumer Affairs for the Colgate Palmolive Company (Honduras 1973-75)

Frank Guzzetta, CEO of Hecht's (India 1968-72)

Robert Haas, chairman of board for Levi Strauss (Ivory Coast 1964-66)

Reed Hastings, founder and CEO of Netflix (Swaziland 1983-85)

Wilber James, CEO of Citizens Power (Kenya 1971-72)

Ginny Kirkwood, owner of Shawnee on the Delaware Inn and Resort (Turkey 1964-66, and Thailand 1990-93)

James Kouzes, president of Tom Peters Group (Turkey 1967-69)

Michael McCaskey, chairman of the board, Chicago Bears (Ethiopia 1965-67)

Robert McCormack, executive vice president of Citicorp (Colombia 1968-70)

Ann and Michael Moore, former CEO and chairman of Snugli Co. and Airlift Company (Togo 1962-64)

Frederic Poses, CEO of American Standard Co. (Peru 1967-1969)

Gordon Radley, president of Lucasfilms Ltd. (Malawi 1968-70)

Tom Scanlon, president of Benchmarks (Chile 1961-63)