When 180 Epic Women Give Grads Insider Advice Before They Hit The Workforce
As I relax into vacation - a full family affair with both adult children, the joy! - I love seeing graduation photos continue to fill my social feeds. With heartiest congratulations to every student moving out, it makes me think immediately about moving on.
Four years ago, the length of many high school or college careers, The Epic Mentor Guide was published and happily greeted by Fast Company World Changing Idea Awards and TODAY Show book spotlight interviews.
And while four years can pass in the blink of an eye, the insider advice and whispered wisdom that 180 boss women shared in this book remain indelible and evergreen. Would every one of these answers given 1:1 to global girls posing questions about the workplace make for impactful commencement addresses today? You bet they would. Indeed, some of the 180 were featured just last week in this newsletter edition!
Here then, in an abbreviated format made for vacation skimming and grad card sharing, are 30 fast examples of epic mentor wisdom that remain as true today as they were when 2026 grads started their journeys. To read the other 150, check the book out here.
Alisyn Camerota on taking first steps as aspiring journalists: "The key is networking! Ask every journalism professor you have for their contacts in the field. Get a hands-on internship—one where you get to do actual reporting— and network with everyone working there. Stay in touch with them; have them introduce you to colleagues they know. Meet as many journalists as you can, and soon you'll be connected to people with the power to hire you."
Amanda Hindlian on finding senior mentors on Wall Street: "Senior mentors became harder to find as I progressed in my career on Wall Street, so I found a replacement: my own employees. I learned that if I surrounded myself with people who were always willing to tell me the truth-and I encouraged them to do so with an open door and an open mind—I would grow and learn from their guidance. Do not let anyone allow you to believe that your business will fail. Every entrepreneur overcame obstacles. Look toward the bell podium and away from the naysayers."
Angela Duckworth on getting our grit together: "Grit is probably not as important as honesty, but it is important. A young adult who is gritty is eagerly pursuing career options that align with their developing interests and values, and does so with a daily dedication to feedback and improvement, and resilience in the face of (inevitable) setbacks."
Ann Shoket on recognizing the dream jobs: "You have so much to offer the world, but those first few jobs aren't going to be your dream job. You are there to learn how work works (and pay your bills!). Pay attention to how your boss commands a room. Watch how ideas get pitched and greenlighted. Listen to the way the people around you work with each other-both with their bosses and the people who report to them. This is all laying the foundation for your ideas to get heard, for you to build your team, for you to create a life and a career on your terms."
Blake Bolden on encouraging young athletes: "I'd tell them to love themselves. Affirm that love on a daily basis so that you are unwavering as you maneuver through life, personally and professionally. Never fear putting yourself out of your comfort zone; that's where the most growth comes. And lastly, live in the moment, because they come and go extremely fast. Smile and laugh often; don't sweat the small stuff!"
Bobbi Brown on hearing NO and moving ahead anyway: "No one likes to be told no, so give yourself a minute to breathe and process it. Then, turn the no into an 'I can.' Start to think of a new plan— find a different door, and if you can't find a door, look for a window. Sometimes it's the sign to do something completely different. Be diligent and trust your next move."
Erin McGoff on breaking into the filmmaking and content creator space: "For anyone who wants to work in the film industry, just know that: (a) There are no rules, (b) No one knows what they're doing, and (c) Be flexible and adapt to change. A director/production company that's really hot this year might be old news next year. [So...] follow your gut. You belong just as much as anyone else. Story is king in this industry. There will always be those with more connections and more money...but at the end of the day, story trumps all."
Gaby Wasensteiner on making new profiles stand out on LinkedIn: "What makes a brand-new LinkedIn profile stand out? Authenticity! Your profile is your story, and that will set you apart from others. Make your unique personality come to life through your photo, background image, and summary. How can you leverage all that LinkedIn has to offer? The key is your network. Don't be shy to send a connection request with a short personal note to people who have a job or work at a company you find interesting. By connecting with others you will get insights and inspiration, and new opportunities will open up for you in no time. Take the first step and connect with me!"
Haben Girma on developing resilience in the face of obstacles: "I encountered numerous challenges as the first Deafblind person in so man spaces. It was both exhausting and rewarding. Each time you remove a barrier, you clear the path for the next person who comes after you. For me, knowing that the process of dismantling obstacles benefits the entire community is energizing."
Hoda Kotb on overcoming challenges and finding your people at work: "The key to being successful in the workplace is to surround yourself only with positive people. I love the quote, You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. This is true in the workplace too. Choose wisely... Don't hang around the gossips, or the negative people; find the people who are kind. And do not listen to anyone who says you can't be both nice and successful. It's not true. You can be deeply kind and wildly successful. The other important factor is to never quit. It sounds basic, but there is an open road ahead. So many people will drop out, as they cannot handle the long hours, the difficult assignments, and moving from city to city. If you just hang in there, you will find your long runway awaits."
Janey Whiteside on becoming a valued new employee: "A boss once told me to 'Take the hard job. The job no one wants' For whatever reason, you may be asked to tackle a role or job that isn't the most glamorous. I'm here to tell you to take the job and do the best work you can in the role. Use the opportunity to learn and to dissect, process, and feed your curiosity. It will help you become a well-rounded professional. This philosophy led me to my dream role - Walmart's first Chief Customer Officer - where I listen to customers, serve as their advocate, and help solve their problems in a way only Walmart can. My path leading this organization was born from a myriad of earlier roles that I may have been less excited about but made me the fit for my dream role. Each of you has the distinct ability to put an indelible mark on any role or task in your career."
Jenny Just on flourishing in fintech: "I encourage all new graduates - particularly young women - looking to get into finance and tech careers to not be defined by one industry or market. Focus on roles that use fintech to help companies find a better way of doing things, and you'll vastly expand your job opportunities. And when you land the job and find yourself in your first few meetings, remember to speak up. Your opinions, ideas, and analysis are unique and add value to the conversation. If you want to run that same meeting one day, people need to hear from you now."
Jennifer Scott Williams on contemplating jobs in space that haven't been discovered yet: "Yes! NASA is moving closer and closer to a commercial model for low Earth orbit activities. With private astronaut missions, development of new space stations, and the emergence of space commerce, girls and women of color will need to have a diversified education. STEM will always be key, but a person with a 'STEAM' background and solid business skills will be in a prime position for success in the space industry."
Judaline Cassidy on embracing jobs and role models in the trades...early: "Three things girls might not know about careers in construction are: One, they are very lucrative and the skills you learn will ensure you always have a job. Two, plumbers do so much more than installing toilets: for example, they oversee the all-important gas lines in hospitals that help doctors perform surgeries. Three, the cloud data storage servers are built and maintained by electricians. My advice to girls eyeing a career in male-dominated fields is just do it; remember that jobs don't have genders and be a rebel girl."
Julie Langford on leveraging STEM skills at sport companies like NIKE: "In our current environment, data analytics, engineering of all types, and business intelligence strategy are premiere areas of interest. That said, dive deep into a craft or calling that makes your heart rate quicken and refine how that which makes your heart zing can often make a company's best even better. Résumés and one-pagers can denote your experience, but demonstrating servant leadership, diversity of thought, and bold innovation early in your career will not only add to your skill set but will make you, your teammates, and your world better in the long run."
Julie Fossey on receiving first feedback (good and bad) at Goldman Sachs : "Go into receiving feedback with a positive mindset. Know that any constructive criticism is intended to make you stronger! Success comes when you are open to listening and constantly evolving to be the best possible version of yourself."
Kathleen Entwistle, MBA, CFP®, CDFA® on managing first paychecks at Morgan Stanley: "The longer the time period you have to grow your money, the better. So the sooner you start investing, the longer it has time to compound. Compound just means your money makes money and this becomes a snowball effect, which gets larger and larger. Have a budget. Know how much you spend every week or every month, which expenses are recurring, and which ones are not. Know that money is a tool, and it is OK to talk about money and communicate your goals and priorities with your friends or family."
Lindsay Kaplan on forming early connections with female networks: "Networks like Chief unite and support women leaders so they can effect change from the top down, creating ripple effects within their organizations that will result in progressive change. Women early in their careers should begin building their own networks by forging connections outside of their domain expertise and pursuing diverse relationships over short-term transactions."
Lindsay Leone (Van Houten) on imagining a typical day working at Google: "A typical day at Google is fast-paced, filled to the brim with new learnings and strategic conversations with partners about their business goals and new opportunities to drive success. What I love most about Google that you would only know if you worked there are the people. Google prides itself on not just hiring smart individuals, but people who are well rounded and want to thrive in a growing environment. Nineteen years later and I still jump out of bed every morning to do the work that Google sets out for us to accomplish!"
Lucie Low on pursuing first careers in science with room to grow: "Study, or volunteer for, or get involved in things because you're interested. Stuff you're interested in is easy to work hard on — stuff you think you have to do isn't. Say yes to fun and different opportunities when they come your way, even when they seem irrelevant or they're outside your comfort zone-you'll experience a wide range of things that will give you skills that you can use to work toward your goals. Failure is normal and OK! Don't beat yourself up — either keep trying, or pivot elsewhere. As one door closes, another opens."
Lydia Fenet on walking into a room with confidence: "Take a deep breath, put your shoulders back, and smile. Remember that no one knows what you are supposed to say or do when you walk into a room except for you. Act confident and people will believe it!"
Maggie McGrath on learning about power way earlier than expected: "What I wish more women knew about their power early in their careers is that they have power: the power of their voice. If you are in a room, you are there for a reason. Don't be shy and swallow your opinions; don't feel like you have to sit in the back of the room because you are new or younger. Take a seat at the table, ask questions, and raise your voice when appropriate. Your contributions matter."
Michele T Ghee on how to ask someone to be your mentor: "Offer to be of service before you ask for anything. That's how you build lasting relationships."
Saroya Tinker on moving from collegiate sports to the professional arena: "The biggest challenge I faced when transitioning to the NWHL was finding the balance between the real world and my sport. Upon graduation, the world lies in front of you. But, as women, we must not only continue to conquer in our sport but in the workforce as well. I had to learn to balance my work life and my sport."
Steph Aiello on refusing to let a disability dissuade you from career goals: "Starting out in the makeup community can be quite difficult because it is extremely competitive. But that should not stop you from your passion. What makes you different is what's going to make you stand out. It took me quite a while to figure that out, but now I take pride in being a 'quadriplegic' makeup artist. It has given me a brand much larger than being simply in the makeup community. It has given me the purpose to strive for more inclusivity when it comes to the product packaging and support from brands. It was Tyra Banks who stunned me with advice like 'your hands are your brand, that drove me to become successful in the makeup community and gave me the confidence to show the world that our disability' does not detine us, and that we are all beautiful in our own amazing ways!"
Stephanie Kaplan Lewis on graduating from college life to office life: "In college, you're used to splitting your time each day between many different pursuits: multiple classes, extracurriculars, a campus job, athletics, and more. So it can be a big change to get used to focusing on the same thing all day, every day at your job. Create variation for yourself by making plans outside of work, scheduling lunches with different coworkers, and finding ways to make your workday feel like it includes distinct parts, to break up this new monotony."
Suman Sherwani on landing ungettable jobs in space tech: "I actually changed my major in college a couple of times and worked in several different jobs and research labs until I started working in Dr. David Miles' Space Physics Research Lab at the University of Iowa. I realized there that I wanted to work in space because it was something that I looked forward to doing every day. My advice to girls looking to land jobs in space technology is: explore all the possibilities and take on projects that really excite you. Whether it be through working at a research lab at your university or a personal project, always follow what excites you. Your passion and excitement will lead the way."
Sydney Hamilton on launching innovative careers in aerospace: "What should you know about aerospace career paths? Explore. There are so many opportunities in aerospace. Learn about them, talk to people, intern, and try different roles! You do not have to have it all figured out. Explore, be curious, ask questions, and enjoy every moment of finding what excites you. Network. It can be challenging being the youngest, the only woman, or the only minority in the room. Find new opportunities to expand your network and have someone who can support you in meetings. It is a lot easier to speak up when you have a hype person in the room! Know Your Facts. Who can challenge your abilities when you are well prepared and factual? No one can dispute the facts! Do your best to always be prepared so they know you for your technical abilities. Own Your Career. There are enough people in the world who will tell you no or try to stop you. You don't need to be one of them. Believe in yourself and remember it's your future to determine, not theirs."
Tai Beauchamp on becoming the greatest intern ever: "Focus on building healthy and vibrant relationships whether they are peer-to-peer or with mentors you meet during your internship. And then cultivate them by staying in touch, sharing developments, and asking about ways that you can support them. These will likely be relationships you carry with you throughout your career. This a great time to connect with people who share your interests, who have skill sets you can learn from, and who you can form community with as your career journey progresses over time."
Terrika Foster-Brasby on turning hobbies like sports into on the field career paths: "My career path to this profession actually started as a hobby, as writing and debating about sports was always something I did for fun. I took advantage of the opportunities that I was given, and when no opportunities were available, I created them. From hosting an Internet radio show, to believing in myself and applying for a job at ESPN, to networking with everyone I met along the way, I am one of the few people who was able to turn my passion into my profession. For any young woman interested in working at ESPN, or anywhere in the sports industry: yes, it is a man's world but we have certainly found our place in it. Align yourself with a company that is open to the ideas, the values, and understands the importance of women. Continue to work hard, do not compromise yourself or your morals, and do not be intimidated by those in the room who may not look like you. It is your uniqueness and authenticity that will set you apart and that is your strength to conquer whatever you set out to do in the sports industry."
Whew! It's a quick 30 but a masterclass in mentorship and I smile as I reread each one. Are there more I adored? Absolutely - from execs at companies like TikTok, Pixar Animation Studios, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Snap Inc. and Spotify alongside leaders like Tyra Banks and the late Lilly Ledbetter.
Every woman who took the time to answer a girl's question knew her age (our youngest participant was 8), her hometown (queries poured in from around the world) and her first name. Every girl whose question was answered knew a rockstar leader saw her words, heard her curiosity and valued her future.
Every email or DM became it's own mentor moment - and with every insight shared a network of epic role models expanded. What else could we want as we watch grads take first steps toward the workplace?
With gratitude always to the women who participated in this project four years ago...the answers they gave will surely help the class of 2026 as they trade majors for mentors and continue to ask the questions on their minds.
Looking forward,
Illana
ÊXTRAS: Three more memories about The Epic Mentor Guide you won't want to miss: what women who read it had to say, what the early book launch days looked like and how the book conversation continued and ultimately sparked this weekly newsletter!
