The Best Career Advice Terps Ever Got

Perhaps it was an offhand comment from your supervisor when you were a student worker, life lessons from a professional-turned-professor in a class or a formal sit-down with a mentor at your entry-level job after graduation. No matter the source, great advice can stick with you for years—and maybe even change the course of your career. 

Alums are another great source of workplace wisdom, having gone on to found major companies, develop scientific breakthroughs, become respected civil servants and more. 

As the Class of 2026 walks across the stage and into their futures this week, Maryland Today asked Terps on LinkedIn and Instagram to pass on some of their favorite early-career tips. 

Robert Rast ’70
Don't be too insular. Over time, develop relationships in your industry, not just your company. 

Roger M.H. Chan ’73
A few years after graduation, I randomly met one of my favorite teachers off campus. He asked me why I hadn't come back for my master's. When I told him that I didn't think I could become a student after being away. He said that students who take a break before coming back tend to do better because they are more focused, purposeful, committed and mature. It made sense. Per chance, I did earn an honorary master's after completing a political appointment in D.C. 

Stephen Ambrose ’77
The best advice I ever received early in my career was from my boss at the National Weather Service. He said I needed to specialize, such as become an engineer. Well, I didn't listen to that advice. I became trained in a variety of physical sciences that included meteorology, hydrology, astronomy, climatology, geology and even sociology. This led to some incredible positions in applied disaster management at NASA and NOAA where I managed all kinds of disasters, including the potential for Near Earth Objects. I have been a meteorologist, climatologist, aerospace engineer, general engineer in an incredible career that is still evolving. But I recommend that if you get good advice take it, but if the advice just isn't you and not your dream, you might want to ignore it or do the opposite. 

Matt Miller ’82
Your company won’t remember you worked that holiday Saturday but your family will. Keep the family first.

Deanna Perlmutter-Tarulli ’89
The best advice I could give a new graduate is to network whenever and wherever you can. Be sure to keep your LinkedIn profile updated and stay active on the platform. Maintaining connections is invaluable, as you never know where your next opportunity may come from.

Chris Light ’93
The best advice I could give a new grad is keep calm. You’re going to go far. A straight line is not guaranteed. Your future looks bright. Much like having your diploma, the university will always be here for you and you will always be welcomed. 

Yougandh “Yogi” Chitre ’94
Never stop learning, find and follow your passion, build your network.

Traci Jack ’97
Networking will be your superpower! 

Monique Hunter ’98
For your passion and be the best at what you do. The only obstacle between you and your goals is you. So keep going! Bumps in life and all. 

Troy Parish ’03
Find a mentor fast. Not someone who tells you what you want to hear, but someone who tells you what you need to hear. The right mentor compresses your learning curve by years. I'd add one more: Be useful before you ask for anything. Show up, do the work, and make yourself easy to invest in. 

Peter Goldsmith ’04
Cling to mentors, chase training, be coachable. 

Julia Bialeski ’05
Career development is a long game. Invest time first in understanding your own values, strengths, and ambitions, and then create a plan to build skills and experiences that align with your personal mission and vision for your career. Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith in yourself.

Jurran Wilson ’07
Don’t wait to continue pursuing your education. Don’t wait for a tomorrow that may never come. Don’t wait until tomorrow to reach for your goals. Today is the day.

David Moore ’22 
Don’t be afraid to start before you’re fully ready. Your first job will not define your whole career.