As a college professor, I love the story lines that come with graduation: realization of a long-anticipated reward, fulfillment of a lifelong goal, the support that is needed for one person to succeed, the "finish line" really being the starting point, and so many others.

In that spirit, I've offered advice to graduates and recapped the commencement addresses of others.

This article falls into the second category as I summarize the themes delivered by Congressman Mike Thompson at the 2015 Sonoma State University commencement exercise.


But first, some background on the Congressman. 

Mike Thompson dropped out of high school to join the army and served in Vietnam, earning a Purple Heart.  While in the military, he earned a GED and later completed high school and college (Chico State) when he returned stateside.

As he commented in his remarks on campus, when he dropped out of high school - against the advice of every adult he knew - he did not seem a likely candidate to give a collegiate commencement address in his lifetime.

Which brings us to the key piece of life and career advice he built his speech around: Get Involved and Take Action.

He framed this message with three familiar tales from United States history to illustrate that it is often normal, every day people who do amazing things - once they get involved and take action.

• John Lewis  Thompson's friend and Congressional colleague played a key role in the events fifty years ago in Selma, Alabama.  At the time Lewis was a 26 year old college graduate who got involved in the quest for equal voting rights for all Americans.  While Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is the most prominent name associated with Selma - and the focus of the recent film - Lewis' role was key and launched him toward a long career in Congress.

• Susan B. Anthony  Another activist who fought for voting rights - but for women.  She certainly did not set out to become a household name or historical figure, but again got involved with a cause and took action to make a difference.  Her contributions were memorialized when she was featured on the dollar coin, beginning in 1979.
• Cesar Chavez  The movement to better the working conditions - and lives - of California's migrant farm workers was how Chavez became involved.  He later founded the National Farm Workers Association (which later became the United Farm Workers or UFW).  In California, Colorado and Texas there is a state holiday commemorating his contributions on his date of birth March 31.

Linking these three narratives together as Congressman Thompson did, provides a inspirational back drop for you in considering the arc of your career.  And more importantly your life.

In some cases the involvement and action you take will be related to your work - an invention, a change in policy, a new skill developed.

But Thompson's message extended beyond that - to the difference you can make in your life beyond work.

Neither Lewis nor Anthony nor Chavez set out to change the world or become historic figures.  They simply got involved in something they believed in and took action.  Our opportunity to make a difference and contribute to society is not limited to our work lives.  Volunteering or championing social causes are opportunities to bring your life meaning and create a lasting legacy.

Are you willing to get involved and take action?