Congratulations, graduates!

Finishing high school is an important step in making one’s way in the world. Teachers, parents and the students themselves have put in the long hours of teaching, support and studying that have helped make graduation a reality.

It’s a challenging world out there and a good education is a real asset in navigating it.

There’s a load of opportunity out there despite those challenges.

Pondering how to chart a course is daunting. Some students will continue their education in college. Others may enlist in the military. Still more may plunge straight into the workforce.

Should one focus on an in-demand skill known for high pay such as dentistry or computer technology?  Or should one follow one’s bliss and pursue interests that one is naturally interested in, even if that interest might not seem lucrative? There are pros and cons to either path.

“If you follow your dreams and spend your life doing what brings you joy, you are more likely to find success,” wrote Virgin Group CEO Richard Branson.

Branson was not a stellar student, at least when it came to formal education. But he does advocate life-long learning through other methods.

Although most people will wind up working for a company, entrepreneurship – a skill Branson has mastered – may be a good option for many.

Branson, founder of Virgin Group, once wrote that learning to run ones own business is akin to a toddler who is first learning to walk – one is likely to stumble and fall at first. But with a few more tries, those first successful steps can be made.

By taking reasonable, calculated risks (with a limited downside!) one might be able to create a viable business – a company that can provide value and help and make life more fun for others.