For recent grads and those who love them

It’s June and graduations are all around us. I’m offering something which hopefully will inspire some consideration. 

A little background to set this column: Johnson O’Connor (1891–1973) was initially a student of astronomical mathematics. Due to his combination of brilliance and curiosity, he became a pioneer in the field of aptitude testing. In 1922, General Electric Corporation brought him and his testing methods in to lead its visionary project designed to match employees with their natural abilities/aptitudes with the obvious intention to improve long-term efficiency. 

He later added interests (which vary throughout our changing lives) to aptitudes which are innate. That combination was the basis of The Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation which now has grown to have testing offices in 15 U.S. cities. In the 1980s, I ventured to Washington, D.C., for a few days of its Aptitudes and Interests testing. I was curious. It was enlightening and the insights still benefit me decades later. 

That’s it for the background. 

Last year a family member’s college graduation sent me looking for a present, and I chose as part of it a book entitled The Algebra of Wealth, which has the message of identify your talents, your aptitudes and follow that as the path to productive success. I liked that approach as a contrast to the all-too frequent graduation speeches encouraging young twenty-somethings to follow their current interests, which can and will change over time. 

BUT. As often happens in an open mind, I remembered the title of a book I saw which inspired me to consider and eventually make a major mid-life change in career: Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow is the exact view I chose to contrast with my book gift choice. 

What’s my Viewpoint then? First, as something to offer a young person, I’m suggesting the dilemma of which philosophy speaks to them. Also, remember careers do change a few times throughout most lives and bring the insights of previous ventures with them. For most of us, directions in our 20s are rarely permanent and are early steps for a specific time in our constantly evolving lives. A larger question is: Does the title of this book lead us to be the best version of ourselves or will opting to follow what we actually do well be a more productive direction to choose?

And ultimately that is the question. Framed a bit differently the question is: Are we here to follow our hearts, accept and adapt to the outcomes — or — to be efficiently productive and maximize our innate potential? 

I don’t think questions like this can be answered objectively. I do think they should be subjectively wrestled with by each of us. If someone in your family is a recent graduate, it’s not too early to consider questions that don’t really have a clear answer. While this one is possibly a false dichotomy, not either/or but a blend of both, I think the broad direction may guide us throughout our short, short lives. And while it’s not too early for the recent grads, it’s also not too late for anyone to consider. That’s my viewpoint.