Page 38 - Keys to College Success

The Rewards of College

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO RISK TO REACH

YOUR GOALS?

What Would You Risk? John Diaz

THINK ABOUT THIS SITUATION AS YOU READ, AND CONSIDER WHAT ACTION YOU WOULD TAKE.
THIS CHAPTER JUMP-STARTS YOUR TRANSITION, WITH INFORMATION ON WHAT COLLEGE HAS TO
OFFER AND WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED.

A brother to three sisters and the only son of divorced market” of journalists looking for
parents, John Diaz grew up in Northern California. He work. Second, John worked at a local
headed to Humboldt State University aiming for a career truck stop during college to help cover
in broadcast journalism. As a sophomore, he started expenses, so he wasn’t available for
working at the school newspaper and campus radio sta- internships that could have improved
tion. He knew a Humboldt diploma didn’t guarantee his job prospects.
career success, but he felt confident in his prospects. He Although discouraged by the fact that
thrived in the close-knit environment where the profes- the number of journalism students exceeded the total jobs
sors were so engaged with the students. “It really was in the industry, John was ready to take a risk. He polished
the right fit for me,” John says. his résumé, created broadcast demo tapes, and sent out
Back then, John had low-risk ambitions—he didn’t hundreds of job inquiries. His initial reward was exactly one
crave a wealthy lifestyle or imagine crusading for global positive response that turned out to be a dead end. Two
causes through journalism. However, the reality of the job months after graduating, he was working in a shoe store,
market stalled even his reasonable career goals. First of wondering if any reward would come from his effort in col-
all, in the late 1970s, the Watergate scandal had boosted lege. “I was hoping lightning would strike,” John recalls.
interest in journalism, creating, as John puts it, “a glutted To be continued . . .

IN THIS TEXT, YOU WILL
MEET PEOPLE LIKE JOHN
WHO HAVE TAKEN RISKS
THAT HELPED THEM
ACHIEVE IMPORTANT
GOALS. WHETHER OR NOT
YOU HAVE SOMETHING IN
COMMON WITH THESE Working through this chapter will help you to:
PEOPLE, THEY WILL
EXPAND YOUR PERSPEC- • Understand the risk and potential rewards of college P. 3
TIVE AND INSPIRE YOU • Lead an education team P. 5
TO MOVE AHEAD ON • Explore the characteristics of the modern workplace P. 7
YOUR OWN PATH. YOU’LL
LEARN MORE ABOUT • Understand how successful intelligence—analytical, creative,
JOHN, AND THE REWARD and practical thinking—can help you achieve goals P. 10
RESULTING FROM HIS • Understand and build emotional intelligence P. 12
ACTIONS, WITHIN THIS • Face challenges with the tool of optimism P. 15
CHAPTER.
• Use a growth mindset to build motivation and persistence P. 16
• Practice academic integrity P. 16
• Build responsibility and self-control P. 18