Graduating seniors Quote by Randy Pausch
““It's been well-documented that there is a growing sense of entitlement among young people. I have certainly seen that in my classrooms. So many graduating seniors have this notion that they should get hired because of their creative brilliance. Too many are unhappy with the idea of starting at the bottom. My advice has always been: 'You ought to be thrilled you got a job in the mailroom. And when you get there, here's what you do: Be really great at sorting mail.' No one wants to hear someone say: 'I'm not good at sorting mail because the job is beneath me.' No job should be beneath us. And if you can't (or won't) sort mail, where is the proof that you can do anything?””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Commencement Address, Carnegie Mellon University, 2007
Entitlement hinders growth; humility and excellence in any role, even menial tasks, build real competence.
In simple terms: Start low, master it, then rise.
Key Takeaway
Embrace any job, do it superbly.
Themes
career
humility
growth
mentorship
Mood
motivational
pragmatic
Type
inspirational
practical
When to use this quote
- entry-level jobs
- career advice
- workplace culture
- personal development
Key Concepts
mindset
work ethic
skill development
Questions to Reflect On
- What can we learn from humble beginnings?
- How does mastery of small tasks build confidence?
A Different Perspective
The advice may not apply to all industries where skill relevance varies.
