Fail. Change. Love. And Other Advice To New Grads-- From Forbes

It’s no secret that recent crops of college graduates have been more risk averse than some of their predecessors. They’re more likely, for instance, to go for the job they could get rather than the one they want. And who could blame them? The uncertain economy hasn’t given young people much room to explore their passions and try out different ways of working, different ways of being a professional.

 As the dean of a management school, I give students a few parting words as they prepare to walk onto the commencement stage—and into the real world. On those occasions, I don’t feel a need to dwell on the job market and the practical challenges ahead. These they know better than I. They know them all too well.

But there’s another side of this equation. There’s the downside of playing it safe, of not forming the habits and attitudes that will help you stand out, try new things, and innovate. And this too, the graduates—including those embarking on business careers—need to hear.

Dare to be Different.

To be different, you have to give some thought to who you are as a professional. You have to think about your personal brand, your mission, your distinctive way of adding value to the work you do. This is what I call “your gig,” what you’re all about, in the work world.

Read the rest of the article and more from Andy Boynton online: http://www.forbes.com/sites/andyboynton/2013/05/20/fail-change-love-and-other-advice-to-new-grads/