Patty Devlin, '04, Shares Post-College Experience at Senior Banquet

"If you don't have a post-college plan, make one in the next 30 days," Patty Devlin, '04, joked with graduating seniors at the senior banquet hosted by JSGA on April 3. "It doesn't have to be great, just accomplishable."

Devlin's plan was to go work on a ranch in Wyoming with four of her friends. "People want to hear stories, they want to be intrigued," she said. "As shallow as it sounds, if you do something interesting, it really helps people be interested in you."

Since then, Devlin has had plenty of interesting experiences - many of which she shared with the seniors. Although she didn't get the first job she wanted and applied for and had to live at home for a few months, she eventually took a job as a secretary/personal assistant at Play in Richmond. She wasn't thrilled about being a secretary, but it turned out to be a good career move.

"In my third week at work, the boss caught me looking at another job opportunity, which was terrifying," Devlin said. "So I did what any reasonable person would do. I cried."

Instead of firing her, five months later he offered her a better job. Now Devlin is a consultant at Play and travels around the world leading sessions with leaders and helping companies decide where to go next.

Devlin said she had since learned a valuable lesson.

"You're not that special," she told the seniors. "But continue to fight for what you want as if you were."

Unlike college, Devlin said, there are few great teachers and no grades in the "real world."

She also warned students to be aware of what they were holding onto: an idea, a college identity, a romantic relationship or the desire for a single professional path or location after college.

"You will encounter ethical dilemmas in real life. Remember your Jepson education but know that clean decisions don't come easily," she said. "Finally, have the courage to live for your own happiness."

Devlin closed by welcoming the seniors to the Jepson alumni network and thanking JSGA for inviting her to speak.

"I can't speak for all Jepson alumni," Devlin said. "But I can say that I for one am excited to have another class of Jepson grads out there with the rest of us - leading the way and changing the world."

• Class of 2008 Profile