"IF" in Life

　　To the graduates of 2010, first of all, let me offer you the congratulations you deserve! You’ve reached another milestone in your life. Obtaining an associate degree or a college degree is a huge accomplishment. During the years at NTCB, you have grown so much fuller. I don’t mean your weight. In retrospect, you’ve acquired more knowledge, developed more wisdom, grown to be more mature, and made many more friends. At this point of your life, you may be asking yourself many questions. What should I do after graduation? Shall I continue studying at a two-year college, a university, or go on to graduate school? Whether I should stay on the same course of study or change track? If you’ve decided upon a school to go to, you may wonder whether you’ve made the right decision. If you don’t plan on the continuation of study, you may have a different set of questions. Should I find a job immediately? If so, what kind of job should I get? Where should I work? How much salary should I ask for? Should I take the first job offer? … Perhaps twenty questions have popped into your head. Perhaps you have already talked to at least ten different people: your parents, your advisor, your homeroom teacher, your classmates, your fiends, your relatives, ....
 
　　The graduation day is approaching, and there may still be a big question mark in your head, and you don’t have a clue about the correct answers. In fact, none of us have all the answers about life. In the word, “L-I-F-E,” there is “IF” in the middle. Like you, we don’t know what is going to happen. But have trust in yourself, just as we have trust in you. Believe you can do it, and do it. Many successful people did not even graduate from a university, the founder of Apple, Steve Jobs, the founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, and the founder of Hon Hai Group, Tai-ming Gou （郭台銘）, but they all believed in themselves and struggled through hardship. Even after their success, they remain humble and modest. Shu-chu Chen （陳樹菊）, just a common vegetable seller at Taitung Central Market, who didn’t even graduate from high school, donated most of her modest income to the poor and those in need. Her motto, “In life, we should accumulate virtues, not wealth.” can serve as our motto.

　　Some people without degrees have made a big success of their lives. A college degree by itself won’t make you a success. That big IF remains in your life. IF you stay true to your best values and remain determined to accomplish something good, IF you use your education well, and IF you keep learning, IF you work hard, IF you realize that life will throw in challenges you aren’t expecting, and IF you accept them as new opportunities, then that IF can become your very successful LIFE.

　　Finally, I want to thank you all. Because of your active participation, our department and our school have grown in size and scope. As your school days at NTCB are coming to an end and you are about to embark on the next part of your life’s journey, let me offer you the guiding words of Steve Jobs:

　　“Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.”
　　　Congratulations again!!