Essential Advice for College Graduates: Money Moves, Skills, and Networking

In this insightful Market Mondays clip, Ian Dunlap, Troy Millings, and Rashad Bilal share essential advice for recent college graduates entering the real world. As graduation season is in full swing, many young adults are facing tough questions about finances, career direction, and how to get ahead despite an uncertain job market.

The conversation kicks off with Rashad congratulating his nephew on graduating from St. John's University, then moves quickly to practical tips every grad should hear. Ian emphasizes the importance of picking solid investments early—think Microsoft, Visa, and bitcoin—and making those investments a financial priority. He also highlights the necessity of building entrepreneurial skills and considering business opportunities beyond the U.S.

Rashad echoes Ian’s advice, underscoring the need to develop 50-year skill sets and to explore tech-driven companies, ETFs like QQQ, and real estate. He stresses the value of learning practical skills not taught in school, especially in areas like artificial intelligence and content creation.

Troy adds another layer by urging grads to understand their unique value and to carefully plan for student loan repayment. He reminds everyone to make use of networking opportunities, especially alumni associations and organizations, while focusing on what they can genuinely bring to the table.

The trio offers actionable steps:

• Invest at least 20% of your income as soon as you can, even before paying off debt, to create long-term wealth.
• Build a personal brand and showcase your ideas—don’t go into interviews empty-handed!
• Keep your living expenses low (living at home is okay!) so you can save and invest more.
• Build networks by staying active in alumni associations and professional groups.
• Learn practical, future-proof skills, including technology and AI.

They also address parents, urging them to be patient as the job market is challenging—even for top tech employees. The conversation wraps up with a reminder to prioritize assets over liabilities and to stay disciplined in money habits.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, a parent, or someone thinking about a career pivot, this clip is packed with wisdom on building wealth, skills, and networks that will serve you for decades to come!

*Timestamps:*

00:00 - Graduation shoutout and opening remarks

00:43 - First steps for new grads: investing and entrepreneurship

03:44 - Why learning tech and AI matters

06:45 - Keeping student debt low and choosing the right degree

08:19 - Creating a personal plan and value-add

10:24 - Networking, alumni associations, and the power of community

12:16 - Building your brand and showcasing your skills

Don’t miss out on these foundational lessons—watch now and map out your path to success!

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