(upbeat music)
>> Congratulations, class of 2020.
After years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice,
you have finally achieved one of your life's goals.
I know it has not been easy, but that is what makes this
such a remarkable accomplishment.
Not everyone has what it takes to persevere
in the face of adversity, and the discipline
to continue working towards a goal.
Like me, 11 years ago, today you're taking the next
step in your professional career
during a very uncertain time.
Back in 2008 as I was writing my theses and thinking
about my next steps, the U.S. was going through
what we now call the Great Recession.
Times were hard, funding for research had declined
significantly, and it was getting harder to show
the impact and benefit of your research to secure funding.
What was a newly graduated PhD to do?
Many of my classmates had to make the hard decision
to leave academia and embark
on a career in private industry.
Others embraced the opportunity to diversify themselves.
But many struggled to find jobs.
My opportunity came from a fellow Hopkins graduate student
who sent an email to the Listserv about a post-doc
opportunity at the Food and Drug Administration.
She had learned about this opportunity
at a scientific conference.
The required skills were right up my alley.
I always had an inclination for public service,
so I decided to apply.
A few days later, I interviewed for the position,
I was hired on the spot.
Later I found that it was my Johns Hopkins degree
that opened the door for me at the FDA.
Many of my now colleagues are also Hopkins alumni.
They have supported me and mentored me through the years,
and at every step of my professional career at the agency.
Today I can tell you that I don't have any regrets.
I love what I do, and I love my job.
So why am I telling you this?
Two reasons.
One, even when your prospects look grim,
keep up a good attitude.
And be open to new opportunities and experiences.
You never know where your next job, position, or promotion
will be coming from.
And number two, your Hopkins family is here for you.
I hope that as you step into your post-graduate
life at a time of much uncertainty,
you find it reassuring to know that there is a community
of over 230,000 Hopkins alumni in the U.S.
and around the world who can provide you
with support and mentorship.
The Johns Hopkins Alumni Association
and the Johns Hopkins Medical and Surgical Association
are communities whose members share
personal and professional interests with you.
Whether they graduated from the School of Medicine,
the School of Public Health, the School of Engineering,
or any of the other Hopkins nine divisions.
Wherever your next chapter is
I encourage you to take full advantage
for GoHopOnline, the alumni directory, and PeopleGrove,
the online mentoring network where you can connect with
and get advice from other alums to forward your career.
One of my favorite things to do as a Hopkins alum
is to provide support, mentorship, and advice
to prospective and current graduate students.
Every year, I look forward to the opportunity
to return to Hopkins and give back.
So join your fellow alumni by attending
or planning an event, by talking to your colleagues,
your friends, and prospective students
about your experience, and by remaining in touch
with your classmates, lab mates,
and our School of Medicine faculty.
You can also stay connected in a virtual way
through Hopkins At Home, an online source of lectures,
mini-courses, life events,
and lifelong learning activities
maintained by the Alumni Association.
As an alumni of Johns Hopkins, we can open doors
for each other, look out for each other,
and help each other become successful.
Remember, you will always be a Johns Hopkins graduate.
Although we can't celebrate this great accomplishment
with you in person,
know that we are very proud of you
and look forward to hearing great things from you.
Be safe and stay healthy.