You can’t stop what’s coming. – From the movie ‘No Country for Old Men’

This is my message for 2018 graduates – your future is coming at you at a terrific speed and there is very little you can do to get ready for it, except get an education and use your education.

There is an old saying that a person needs to lead, follow, or get out of the way.

In your case, you will not be able to get out of the way.

Is it possible that many of the great truths that you graduates have come to take for granted are just not true after all? Let me share three examples:

• First, you were told that loyalty to your boss or your employer was a total waste of time and a relic from your parents and grandparents’ generations.

Not true.

Instead loyalty may be the most important factor going forward in getting and keeping that job that you covet. Do you remember the key component of the state of Wyoming’s official philosophy, called the Code of the West? To me, the big one is “Ride for the Brand.”

• Second, here in Wyoming energy is a big, big deal. You were told your entire lives that America would be relying on foreign energy imports forever. You were taught that our destiny, as a country, is to make Arab Sheiks rich as we continually import their oil.

Not true.

Today we are a net energy exporting country. With Wyoming’s wind and solar resources, our vast coal deposits, gigantic natural gas reserves and new oil discoveries, Wyoming is helping the country send out more energy than we are importing. Amazing.            

• Third, you were told that manufacturing is dying in America and, no matter what you do, do not get into that dinosaur business. We expect everything of importance to be built in China. Surely the experience of Wal Mart and Apple Computer would verify this.

Not true.

Just when everything has a gloomy but predictable look to it, we find out that many assumed truths in the world really are upside down. What you thought was true is false. What was passé is back in fashion.

If you are a hard worker with good work habits and ethics, your future is bright. The key word might be “gumption.” If you do not know what it means, look it up.

You grads heading out into the world of new jobs need to be alert to trends in your chosen fields.

Good luck and Godspeed.

Check out additional columns at www.billsniffin.com. He has published six books. His coffee table book series has sold 30,000 copies.