Oakland University 2010 graduation - by Monica

My favorite journalism professor Holly Gilbert, the head of the journalism department Garry Gilbert, and I

Oakland University’s graduation ceremony was Saturday, May 1st. Although the president didn’t show up to our graduation ceremony like he did for University of Michigan, students were still excited to finally celebrate the end of four or more years of college and receive their bachelor degrees. One student even glued letters to his graduation cap that spelt out “GO WINGS!”

John D. Stoll, who majored in history and minored in journalism at Oakland University in 2000, spoke at the ceremony. A fellow journalism major who sat next to me at the ceremony said, “There’s still hope for us yet,” when Stoll walked up on stage. One thing Stoll taught the almost-alumni was that when one door closes, another one opens. And I feel like, with this economy, that is something we all need to keep in the back of our minds. Stoll wanted to work for a church, and, as a Christian, he thought this was his dream job. But, after being accepted, the pastor called him up before his first day of work and told him he changed his mind. I don’t know about you, but I would be pretty bummed if I was let go from a job before I even started. But don’t feel bad for Stoll just yet. He later became a reporter for the Wall Street Journal and is now Ford Motor Company’s manager. He told students to take a job that mattered to THEM, no matter what anybody else says, and to fight for the job that some people may think is impossible to get. This is what people said when Stoll went to apply for the Wall Street Journal, and look what happened to him. Whether it’s in Michigan or another state or country, whether you just graduated college or graduated 40 years ago, remember that when one door closes, another one opens. Make this your motto when you don’t get accepted at a job interview because, who knows, maybe you didn’t get that job because an even better job is waiting around the corner that you wouldn’t have been looking for if you got that mediocre job you applied for first. And, if you’re in a job you hate, don’t settle. Look for something fulfilling, no matter what anyone else says. Afterall, this is YOUR life.