(Cracking the Code with Greg Kozera - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

At the time, I didn’t realize how good college life was. Engineering classes were challenging with exams and projects but nothing like the real world. Stress and responsibility were low. I only had me to worry about. I had no bills to pay. My work-study job paid for entertainment and running my motorcycle. My only worry was a date for weekends.

Parties at our apartment were routine. I had lots of friends. We went to West Virginia University football and basketball games for free. Life was good but not sustainable. I had friends who chose to stay in college and get an advanced degree. For me, it was time to graduate and enter the real world of life as a grownup.

Last week I wrote about the real world college graduates enter without giving them suggested solutions. Maybe this will help.

One of Steven Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is begin with the end in mind. Everything starts with a dream. What do you want your life to be like in five years? What kind of vehicle do you want to drive? Where do you want to live? What kind of relationship(s) do you want to have? Living without a dream is like driving without a destination. It doesn’t matter where you go. You won’t know when you arrive. You must have a dream if you want to make a dream come true.

I challenge you to dream high. My friend Willie Jolley says, “Low aim is sin.” When we aim low with an easy dream, we don’t use the talent the creator gave us.

My dad never had a new car. One of my goals was to buy a new car when I got my first job. I wanted my own apartment, had a student loan to repay and wanted to save for my first house and have a lifestyle. I knew what types of careers would get me there.

My uncles worked in the steel mills of Pittsburgh. None of them liked going to work. It was what they had to do to support their family. I was looking for a career where I could make a difference, enjoy going to work and meet my financial goals. I chose a career in engineering. It was a good starting point that led into management, sales and set the basis for the marketing business we own today. My advice to graduates at any level is to choose a career you enjoy OR you will have to settle for a job. Have a plan to achieve your dreams.

Once the dream (the destination) is set, everything else flows from it. If you want to be living in an apartment of your own or have a house, all that is determined by your income, which is determined by your job or business. Your career or job is determined by your degree or the training you have. You don’t need to go to college to have a successful career. Understanding the salary of different jobs and the requirements to obtain them is helpful to determine your degree or training needed. Choose a career, then get the training or degree you desire.

Circumstances can change. You may find you don’t like the career you have chosen. Then change careers! Working at a job you hate is no way to live.

I was speaking to the petroleum engineering students at WVU a few years ago. I asked Dr. Ameri who the new professor was. “Greg, he’s not a professor. He is a new student who was a dentist.” I talked to the gentleman after my presentation. He said he had a successful dental practice but hated his job and hated looking in people’s mouths every day. Rather than live in misery he decided to make a change. He found a career he loved.

One of my friends in high school was a straight A student who took advanced physics and calculus in high school. He had perfect scores on his college boards. I lost track of him after high school graduation. He went to MIT. I figured he would become a high-level scientist with a Ph.D.

We reconnected at our 10-year high school reunion. He had a beard. I almost didn’t recognize him. We had a good chat. I asked what he was doing. “I’m a carpenter in Boston and love it!” He decided he didn’t want to be a scientist and was happy, unstressed and successful.

You can be sure of one thing in the real world. You will face adversity. That’s when you decide how serious you are about your dreams. The real world will knock you down. Your dreams should he high enough and important enough to make you get back up. In any career, you will face challenges. Don’t quit. Overcoming adversity makes you stronger.

The dream of this year’s seniors on our high school soccer team was the same as the last three years – to go to the state tournament and win the state championship. After the first seven games, we had only one win and were outscored by our opponents 5-11. We doubted achieving our dream. Coach Joe said, “We don’t have the talent.” I smiled, “Looks like you’ll have to develop it.”

Joe, along with Tristan and Adam (the other assistant coaches), did that. I changed my leadership talks to work on helping the players believe the dream was possible. With the same players, we went 7-0 for the last seven games, outscoring our opponents 31-1 and winning our eighth state championship.

In the real world, your success will come from your ability to work with people. Remember your roots. Treat EVERYONE with dignity and respect. Be a leader who cares. Listen and seek to understand before trying to be understood. Smile. Laugh. Stay positive. We hope these thoughts whether you are a current grad or an old grad will help you to achieve your dreams and find happiness and success in the real world.

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Greg Kozera, gkozera@shalecrescentusa.com, is the director of marketing for Shale Crescent USA. He is a professional engineer with a Masters in Environmental Engineering and over 40 years of experience in the energy industry. Greg is a leadership expert, high school soccer coach, professional speaker, author of four books and many published articles.