Dylan Dreyer shared her best professional and life advice during a rousing commencement speech at her alma mater, Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (formerly Cook College), in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on May 19.
The TODAY meteorologist, 43, who graduated cum laude from the school with a bachelor’s degree in meteorology in 2003, told students, “Life is a constant work in progress,” while sharing examples from her own professional career.
(Her speech can be seen at the 30-minute mark in the video below.)
Dylan kicked off her speech with a hilarious anecdote from her own graduation day at the campus.
“I was sitting there like you are, anticipating them calling my name. My heart was beating a little faster as they got closer to me … But, then I stumbled a bit when they finally called my name. They said ‘Dyelin Drayer. Dyelin Drayer?’”
Dylan recalled that she snapped to, telling herself, “Oh, that’s me!”
“I sometimes think back to that time, feeling so accomplished, doing all the hard work to get to this moment. As it turns out, this right here is just the beginning. I had a name to grow into. I wasn’t who I was meant to become yet,” she said.
Dylan advised new grads to stay ambitious throughout their professional careers. “Always work toward the next thing,” she said. “It gives you the drive to keep going, to keep trying.”
She then went on to share a checklist of tips for finding success.
“First and foremost, be kind. Genuinely kind, don’t fake it: People like to help kind people,” said Dylan. “That’s not to say you can’t also be tough and stick up for yourself, but at the end of the day, kindness will help you make the connections with those around you.
“If there’s a new job opportunity or the chance to collaborate with someone: ‘Oh…I like that so and so…let’s give her a chance.’ Then when you get the chance, DO THE WORK,” she added.
She also told students to embrace new opportunities.
“Say yes to anything and everything. Whether it’s in your wheelhouse or not. Use this time in your life to work your butt off…even if it’s not exactly what you want to be doing.
“Work the overnight shift, work the weekends, work the holidays. This is the time of your life to pay your dues,” she said, adding, “Do it now, so you’re in a position when you’re older to do things the way you want to do them.”
Dylan encouraged audience members not to focus too much on having fun at the start of their careers.
“Your 20s are crucial, but they’re not crucial in the way you think. The parties, dinners out, traveling. Don’t make those the priority right now,” she said, adding, “There will be days to have fun and live your life, but your 20s are crucial because it’s your chance to invest in your future.”
Dylan advised students to be open to critiques on the job, noting that she listened to early feedback about her voice and invested time and energy on vocal coaches who helped her hone her on-air speaking style, including dialing back on her “Jersey accent.”
Still, Dylan said, it’s important to always present yourself in an authentic way.
“No matter what happens, be you. When I first started at the ‘TODAY’ show, they said to me, ‘You’re not Al Roker, so don’t try to be Al Roker.’ Guys, in any field, you have to be YOU. You don’t want to miss an opportunity because you were trying to be like someone else,” she said.
Toward the end of her speech, Dylan pushed the new grads to consider moving out their parents’ houses to begin their adult lives on their own.
“Don’t let anyone hold your hand. It’s tempting because life is overwhelming and it’s hard. But it’s your time to do this on your own. Experiment, fail, succeed. This is all setting the groundwork, the foundation of who you’re going to be,” she said.
“Learn to budget, learn to cook, learn to do laundry, learn to invest your money, learn to pay bills on time and shop smart, don’t rack up unnecessary debt,” she added.
“My first job, I made $17,000,” Dylan recalled. “I literally wore my winter coat in the house so I didn’t spend so much on heat. I went to a garage sale and bought a cookbook and learned to cook. The stuffed peppers I learned to make back then is still one of my favorite recipes.”
Dylan’s last bit of advice to students was to be passionate and enthusiastic about their work.
“Any boss would love to have someone who truly cares about their career. Be open to anything and everything right now,” she said.
“I graduated from here with a meteorology degree. Did I want to be a reporter standing out next to a pothole and writing stories about how much it could damage your car? Absolutely not. But I said yes, I did the hard work. I picked up the skills I didn’t know I needed.
“Now, I’m cohosting the 3rd Hour of the ‘TODAY’ show,” she added. “While I love getting to do the weather for NBC News and I love filling in for Al Roker when he’s out, I can’t forget, I’m not Al Roker. I’m Dylan Dreyer. And that’s the person I’m meant to be.”
“So go out there as you start this journey and become who you are meant to be,” Dylan told the graduates, adding, “There’s a Tibetan proverb: If you take care of the minutes, the years take care of themselves. But you gotta put in the work.”
Read on for a full transcript of Dylan’s commencement speech:
You’d think working on national TV would prepare you for this moment but nothing prepares you for this moment when you are invited to be the commencement speaker at your alma mater. It is such an honor to be here. Thank you so much for inviting me. Congratulations to all of you in those seats right now. This is your day. I’m going to throw out some advice but this is your day and I hope you’re just soaking it all in and enjoying every minute of it.
So, I was debating whether or not to tell the story I’m about to tell. I remember my graduation day, 22 years ago, from Cook College. I was sitting in those seats like you are, anticipating them calling my name. My heart was beating a little faster as they got closer to me (again, nervous for everything).
But, then I stumbled a bit when they finally called my name. They said, ‘Dyelin Drayer. Dyelin Drayer?’ Oh, that’s me! I sometimes think back to that time, feeling so accomplished, doing all the hard work to get to this moment. As it turns out … this right here is just the beginning. This moment right now is when it all begins. I had a name to grow into. I wasn’t who I was meant to become yet. Sometimes I still wonder if I’m even that woman yet. Life is a constant work in progress, always striving for the next thing.
Some people might tell you to live in the moment — and I agree with that 100% — but don’t get STUCK in the moment. Always work toward the next thing. It gives you the drive to keep going, to keep trying. Now here I am as Dylan Dreyer … and I feel more proud than ever before to have earned the opportunity to be on this stage in front of you.
Now listen, people will always try to give you advice. I’m literally about to do the same. You can take advice two ways: as a criticism or as a ‘guide.’ I’m only in a position to offer advice because I’ve lived through the journey you’re about to embark on. But there IS value in advice. It comes from a place of lived knowledge. Maybe one or two things I say will stick out to you and if that’s the case, then I’ve done my job as your commencement speaker. If it resonates with you, use it.
First and foremost, be kind. Genuinely kind, don’t fake it. People like to help kind people. That’s not to say you can’t also be tough and stick up for yourself, but at the end of the day, kindness will help you make the connections with those around you. If there’s a new job opportunity or the chance to collaborate with someone — ‘Oh I like that so and so let’s give her a chance’ — then when you get the chance, DO THE WORK.
Say yes to anything and everything. Whether it’s in your wheelhouse or not. Use this time in your life to work your butt off, even if it’s not EXACTLY what you want to be doing. Work the overnight shift, work the weekends, work the holidays. This is the time of your life to pay your dues. Do it now so you’re in a position when you’re older to do things the way you want to do them. Do the leg work now so when you’re older and have a family, you might be at the point in your career when you can make your schedule work better for you … because you’ve already set yourself up.
If you don’t want a family, you’ll want other things in your 40s: travel, fancy dinners, enjoy it all when you’ve got the money to do it. Your 20s are crucial, but they’re not crucial in the way you think. The parties, dinners out, traveling, don’t make those the priority right now. Don’t stretch yourself too thin to do those things now. There will be days to have fun and live your life, but the 20s are crucial because it’s your chance to invest in your future.
If someone offers criticism or critiques, TAKE IT! It’s so easy to be offended. Over the course of my career, I’ve been to several voice coaches. While I love New Jersey and being born and raised here, a Jersey accent is not really ideal when you’re trying to work in television news across the country. Was I offended? Hell yeah! How dare they say they don’t like my voice!! It’s my voice! But looking back, it wasn’t my voice that needed changing, it was my confidence and my delivery.
Thank God someone saw something in me, despite my timid voice, to invest the effort into making me shine. If people want to help you get better, don’t fight that. Use all the resources they’ll throw at you to help you grow and do just that: grow!
No matter what happens, be you. When I first started at the “TODAY” show, they said to me, ‘You’re not Al Roker, so don’t try to be Al Roker.’ Guys, in any field, you have to be YOU. You don’t want to miss an opportunity because you were trying to be like someone else. There are no second chances. You can’t go back and say, ‘Let me try that again as myself this time.’ If they want someone else, they’ll ask someone else. But when they give you a chance, they’re interested in YOU and what YOU have to offer. If they pass, then it wasn’t meant to be. Go to someone who wants you.
My first almost job opportunity was in Lincoln, Nebraska. I thought I did pretty well during my interview but I never heard back. I finally worked up the nerves to call the general manager and he’s like, ‘Oh, we went with someone else.’ What the heck?? How could they not want me? I cried and cried but you know what? I had to get over myself. They didn’t want me, on to the next job.
I finally got a job in Erie, Pennsylvania, and little did I know at the time, but this would be the start of my career path. You don’t need to have all the answers or understand why things happen the way they do. Put your best YOU forward and trust the process. Someone will always want YOU. And I don’t just mean in a job. I mean in friendships, relationships, you are the perfect person for someone.
Move out of your parents’ house. I don’t remember when I was 1, but I do remember teaching my kids how to walk. They never would have learned to walk if I didn’t let go of their hands. Don’t let anyone hold your hand. It’s tempting because life is overwhelming, it’s expensive, it’s hard. But it’s your time to do this on your own. Experiment, fail, succeed. This is all setting the groundwork, the foundation of who you’re going to be, not just as an employee but as a human being trying to live life. Move away from home, or at least out of the house.
Learn to budget, learn to cook, learn to do laundry, learn to invest your money, learn to pay bills on time and shop smart, don’t rack up unnecessary debt. Invest in your life. My first job, I made $17,000. I literally wore my winter coat in the house so I didn’t spend so much on heat. I went to a garage sale and bought a cookbook for $1 and learned to cook. The stuffed peppers I learned to make back then is still one of my favorite recipes. I clipped coupons! Being frugal and smart with money now will save you so many headaches in the future.
Finally, be passionate: No matter what you do with your life, be passionate and enthusiastic. Any boss would love to have someone who truly cares about their career. Be open to anything and everything right now. I graduated from here with a meteorology degree. Did I want to be a reporter standing out next to a pothole, writing stories about how much it could damage your car? Absolutely not. But I said yes. I did the hard work. I picked up the skills I didn’t even know I needed.
Now, I’m cohosting the 3rd Hour of the ‘TODAY’ show. While I love getting to do the weather for NBC News and I love filling in for Al Roker when he’s out, I can’t forget, I’m not Al Roker. I’m Dylan Dreyer. And that’s the person I was meant to be … and all that comes with it.
So, go out there, as YOU, start this journey and become who YOU are meant to be. There’s a Tibetan proverb: If you take care of the minutes, the years will take care of themselves. But you gotta do the work.
