WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — More than 700 University of Scranton students are headed off into the real world.
They received their diplomas on Sunday and received words of inspiration from a former WYOU intern, now an Emmy-winning producer at 60 Minutes, Nicole Young.
"Scranton, even though it was tiny, felt really mighty," Young stated.
It's a full circle moment for Nicole Young, class of 2000 from the University of Scranton. She began her career journey at The "U," receiving her degree in communications.
"All of it seemed so brand new, and that was exactly what was so fascinating about it," Young explained.
As a college sophomore, Young interned at WYOU in 1997 before studying abroad in 1998.
That first newsroom experience sparked a passion that eventually led her to 60 Minutes, where she's now a senior producer with 16 Emmy awards. But it all started in the Electric City.
"It felt homely, it felt safe, and it felt like a place where I had friends who became family," Young added.
The graduating class she spoke to came from all over the country and the world to don their caps and gowns at Mohegan Arena.
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The students hail from 17 states as well as China, Ireland, and Vietnam.
Young's message to these graduates wasn't just about success, but also what it takes to earn it.
"A lot of things you need in life to succeed really are the things that happen when you least expect it. I didn't know that most of life happens between your plans, in the gaps, in the messy middle," Young continued.
She reminded students that the most important part of the journey is simply staying on the path.
"So when the days are hard, when your confidence is MIA, show up. When the job is messy, show up. Because that's where life is. That's where the growth is," said Young.
"Everything you need is already in you. You have to believe in yourself, and understand: the harder the journey, the better the story," Young said.
Young's career proves success isn't a straight line, but showing up, even when it's hard, makes all the difference.
