Steve Jobs’ commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005 resonated with me more than I believed it would. At this point in my life, I admittedly feel incredibly confused, quite excited but a bit scared as to exactly what I want to do when I graduate from The College of New Jersey. Some of the ideas he discussed hit closer to home than expected – for instance, following curiosity and intuition, whether that be off the well-worn path or not. Finding an avenue that I am interested in enough to pursue it, educate myself and become enveloped in the material is something that quite literally just happened while searching for ideas for senior thesis. I never expected to be teaching myself electronics at the start of senior year – how circuits work, components and their functions, how an Arduino operates and how to manipulate its inputs and outputs – but I absolutely love it and I cannot stop thinking about it. For whatever reason I am undeniably drawn to this aspect of design, I’m thrilled to keep learning and developing the skills involved.
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward, only backwards.“
Steve Jobs’ words on connecting these dots and following one’s passion, maybe literally not knowing where it’ll take you but instinctively pursuing that goal, really helped put things in perspective for me. It isn’t about what I thought I’d do but what I enjoy doing and what work I believe is great work. And regardless of obstacles, as he mentioned, remembering that we all die is the best way to avoid the trap of thinking there is something to lose – to own death and its inevitability will give the greatest strength in conquering life. To continue to do what I love, despite it being what I thought I would end up doing or not, is something I will always strive for, in senior thesis, in my career and in my life.
Inspirational notes on an inspirational commencement address. Thanks!