Graduation speeches are a mixed bag. After all the graduates may have been be studying subjects as diverse as law or medicine to landscape gardening. Obviously the graduation speeches have to take cognisance of this variety of subjects. Speeches should be relevant to the faculty in question. Equally obviously no matter what group of graduates you are addressing there will also be some similarities about what you say.
You should, for instance, welcome guests. You should also speak of the hard work and achievements of the students. Graduation speeches mention the past but take an optimistic view of the future.
Naturally your speech should be motivational in tone. It should speak of the adventures ahead of the graduates and the opportunities available. Graduation speeches should make the graduates aware that although they may have settled on one career, times change and so do attitudes. Such speeches should, therefore, speak of having an open mind and being willing to take side roads on the journey of life.
A personal story is probably the best way of all to grab the attention of your audience. If you can speak of having achieved something particular in your own life and how you did it, students will relate to that. Students love humour so if your story is a light-hearted one so much the better.
Graduation speeches often mention success but be careful to emphasise that success does not necessarily mean making money. A person who can live happily but without riches is to be envied. Such speeches should address the challenges of living a good life and thinking of others. Today it is critical that students consider the climate because our environment is under threat and unless they do something about it money will be the least of their worries.
Graduation speeches are given at a time of partying and parting. A mention of the graduates" ability to celebrate won"t go astray but you should also stress the importance of keeping in touch with college friends. It may help in their careers to be able to contact like-minded individuals but their personal lives will be all the richer for maintaining their friendships.
Graduation speeches should make the graduates think. Even if you say only one thing that they will remember all their lives your speech will have been worthwhile. If you can find a suitable saying or a quizzical quote so much the better. Finally say Bon voyage with a good luck message.