Graduation season is a time of hope, celebration, and reflection. As young people don their caps and gowns, they are not just concluding their educational journeys but embarking on new adventures that will shape their futures.

This moment is filled with boundless possibilities, dreams, and aspirations. It’s a time when graduates look back on their achievements and look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Inspirational words from those who have walked the path before can provide invaluable guidance and motivation.

I have been out of school for 20 years, but I still enjoy listening to those we deem successful and giving practical real-world advice to an inexperienced, lost, and confused generation.

Here, we explore five of the best graduation speeches of all time, each offering unique insights and wisdom.

Steve Jobs – Stanford University, 2005

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., delivered a powerful commencement address at Stanford University in 2005. His speech, which has become legendary, is filled with personal anecdotes and profound advice. Jobs spoke about the importance of following your heart and intuition, sharing his own experiences with dropping out of college, getting fired from Apple, and being diagnosed with cancer. He emphasized the idea of connecting the dots in life, trusting that the seemingly unrelated experiences will lead to a meaningful path. Jobs' message to "Stay hungry, stay foolish" continues to resonate with graduates around the world.

J.K. Rowling – Harvard University, 2008

J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, delivered an unforgettable speech at Harvard University in 2008. Rowling's address focused on the benefits of failure and the importance of imagination. She shared her own story of overcoming poverty and rejection before achieving literary success. By discussing her lowest points and how they propelled her to success, Rowling encouraged graduates to embrace failure as a learning experience. Her speech also highlighted the power of imagination in understanding and empathizing with others, urging graduates to use their talents to make a positive impact on the world.

Sheryl Sandberg – UC Berkeley, 2016

Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook, gave a moving commencement speech at UC Berkeley in 2016. Following the sudden death of her husband, Sandberg spoke candidly about resilience and finding meaning in the face of adversity. Her address focused on the importance of resilience and gratitude, sharing personal insights on how to cope with loss and setbacks. Sandberg encouraged graduates to build resilience by seeking joy, helping others, and appreciating the small moments in life. Her message of strength and perseverance continues to inspire many.

William H McRaven – University of Texas at Austin, 2014

Admiral William H. McRaven's 2014 commencement address at the University of Texas at Austin is renowned for its impactful life lessons derived from his Navy SEAL training. He emphasized the importance of starting each day with a task completed (like making your bed), embracing the power of hope, teamwork, and perseverance in the face of adversity. McRaven's speech encouraged graduates to face life's challenges head-on and to strive for meaningful change, both in their own lives and in the world.

Jerry Seinfeld - Duke University, 2024

Jerry Seinfeld delivered the 2024 commencement address at Duke University. His speech was filled with humor and practical advice. Seinfeld emphasized the importance of humor in life, urging graduates to find joy and not take themselves too seriously. He also highlighted the value of hard work, resilience, and staying true to oneself. Seinfeld's speech combined comedic elements with motivational messages, encouraging graduates to embrace the uncertainties of life with a positive and light-hearted attitude.

Graduation speeches have the power to inspire and guide graduates as they step into the next phase of their lives. The best speeches, like those by Steve Jobs, J.K. Rowling, William H. McRaven, Sheryl Sandberg, and Jerry Seinfeld, offer timeless wisdom, personal stories, and practical advice. As graduates celebrate their achievements and look toward the future, these speeches remind them of the importance of resilience, imagination, awareness, and the courage to follow their dreams.