Reaction Essay on Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Address

Reaction Essay on Steve Jobs' Stanford Commencement Address

This speech has influenced a large number of people's lives all over the world, and it may also change yours. Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, is famous around the world for his creativity, artistic sense, and inventiveness. He delievered this speech at the commencement of Stanford University in 2005. He shared his three personal stories with Stanford graduates. I find the speech very encouraging and inspiring so I will choose two ideas from that speech and share my thoughts and experiences with you about what I have learned from and why I believe in the two ideas.

The first idea is about connecting the dots. Jobs said that the calligraphy class he took after dropping out seemed has no practical application in his life; however, ten years later, the single class helped him to create the first computer with beautiful typography. "You cannot connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards," Jobs said. I felt encouraged, since in vocational school, I thought learning computer software and practing Chinese and English typing were boring and useless. Nonetheless, I am now in college, and fortunately, what I had learned in vocational school turned out to be very useful. I now can use office software effectively and efficiently so that doing assignments becomes so easy for me. Moreover, my typing skill helps me a lot on writing term-paper. In short, I recommend that you follow your hearts, learn what interests you, and wait patiently, because you will never know how those you once thought useless can make you pay off in the future.

The second idea is about finding what you love. Jobs mentioned that he was lucky, because he found what he loved early in life. After he got fired, he still loved what he did. "You've got to find what you love," Jobs said. I felt inspired because I found what I love to do when I am a junior in college. I am eager to be a motivational speaker, author, and trainer. I have a calling that urges me to be a positively influential person. I like to help people to see the bright side of the world, help them to see their greatness, and help them to become better themselves. I believe that everyone has a passion. It can make the ordinary become the extraordinary, and I insist that you find it out. When you are doing something you passionately believe in, you feel so satisfied and happy even without any pay. For example, when people want to seek some advice from me, I am happy to spend my precious tiem helping them, and seriously, I do not want them to pay me, since I believe what I am doing is truly great work. All in all, you have to find what you love because it is the key to become happy and successful.

This speech is one of the most motivating speeches I have ever heard. It pushes me to open my heart and mind to learn new things that, one day, may make a difference. lt also reminds me to stick to my passion that may lead to an exceptional life. Finally, I really hope that Jobs' speech and my essay can also have a positive influence on your lives.