For the past year, SUNY has collected dozens of success stories from our alumni. The graduates’ careers range from teacher to executive, to scientist to producer. Everybody’s story is unique and no two paths to personal satisfaction are the same. In fact, the only constant between these interviews is the mindset and attitude of each alum. We’ve collected some of the most insightful, inspirational, or otherwise motivating comments from the advice for students section of the SUNY Alumni Profiles and put them in one place!

• “Doing the hard things in life often represents the best things we can do with ourselves; there’s something to be said for tenacity and just plain stubbornness when it gets right down to it.” – Haagen Klaus, Plattsburgh ’00
• “Identify what makes you tick.” – Tracy Leonard, Jefferson Community College ’06 and Oswego ’08
• “Never turn down an opportunity in your chosen field because you never know what it will lead to or what contacts you will make.” – Steve Levy, Oswego ’87
• “Your education provides you with a toolbox, filled with what gives you power as a person and a citizen: knowledge, critical thinking, and a role in shaping all our futures.” – Haagen Klaus, Plattsburgh ’00
• “Never stop and never give up.” – Craig Coon, Binghamton ’10
• “The college years go by quickly—enjoy it and acknowledge it as a great opportunity and blessing.” –Tracy Leonard, Jefferson Community College ’06 and Oswego ’08
• “Work at your craft all the time. It’s not enough to aim at the target. You must hit it.” – Sal Palantonio, Oneonta ’77
• “Take a chance, manage the risk, and execute.” – Michael Giardino, Brockport ’84
• “What you do today, the choices you make, the effort you put forth will lay the foundation for your future for years to come.” – Glenn Johnson, Brockport ’85
• “You are still in school, you are young and have plenty of opportunities to change direction, should your first (or 2nd or 3rd) choice not work out for you.” – Steve Levy, Oswego ’87
• “Life is about shared accomplishment, not allocating credit.” – Peter Bocko, Oswego ’75
• “It is important to not be afraid of the unknown, embrace it and try to better yourself through each new experience.” – Craig Coon, Binghamton ’10
• “Be very clear about where opportunities are so your hard earned education can be of use.” – Deborah Gregory, FIT / Empire State College ’86
• “The world is full of talented people; what distinguishes us is those that get things done and are always looking for the next challenge.” – Peter Bocko, Oswego ’75
• “Education and learning should not just end at college; it should be a constant process.” – Greg Ahlquist, Geneseo ’95
• “Don’t be afraid of failing. Learn from your mistakes, and when you err, just try to make sure it’s an original mistake.” – Haagen Klaus, Plattsburgh ’00

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Cover Photo: Binghamton University, Winter 2012