Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
"Would you hire the version of you that gets knocked down, learns from the mistake, and comes back wiser and stronger?"
In this powerful and provocative commencement address to the University of North Dakota Class of 2025, alum Jill Cholewa challenges graduates to look beyond their diplomas. While a degree proves what you know, Cholewa argues that your character defines where you will go.
By posing the ultimate self-reflection question — "Would You Hire You?" — she breaks down the difference between a resume of skills and a resume of character. From the "hidden" lessons of group projects to the 8 keys of success inspired by Denzel Washington, this speech is a roadmap for anyone looking to lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose.
In this speech, Jill discusses:
The "Hidden" Resume: Why all-nighters, group project friction, and part-time jobs are your real-world character references.
The 4 Pillars of a Great Candidate: Curiosity, Resilience, Collaboration, and Integrity.
The 8 Keys to Success: Hard work, patience, sacrifice, consistency, discipline, self-confidence, a positive attitude, and focus.
True Leadership: Why the best leaders are defined by their willingness to listen, their courage to be vulnerable, and their commitment to servitude.
Here is a compelling YouTube description for Jill Cholewa’s commencement speech, optimized for engagement and clarity.
Key Timestamps:
0:00 – Honoring the Class of 2025
0:58 – The Question: Would You Hire You?
2:07 – Character vs. Skills: Your "Hidden" Resume
3:15 – Pillar 1 & 2: Curiosity and Resilience
4:05 – Pillar 3 & 4: Collaboration and Integrity
5:22 – Denzel Washington’s 8 Keys to Success
6:52 – The 3 Qualities of Impactful Leadership
9:55 – Final Message: Trusting Your Growth
#UND #Commencement2025 #JillCholewa #Leadership #Motivation #GraduationSpeech #UniversityOfNorthDakota #CareerAdvice
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Founded in 1883, six years before the state itself was established, the University of North Dakota is a busy 521-acre campus, the state’s largest. We're an innovator in engineering, medicine, aviation and unmanned aircraft systems with colleges of business, arts, sciences, nursing, aerospace, education, engineering and medicine. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered online and on campus.
WEBSITE: https://und.edu/
ABOUT: https://und.edu/about/index.html
MAJORS: https://und.edu/programs/
VISIT: https://und.edu/admissions/visit/
APPLY: https://und.edu/admissions/apply.html
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: instagram.com/uofnorthdakota
Facebook: facebook.com/UofNorthDakota
TikTok: tiktok.com/@uofnorthdakota
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/uofnorthdakota
#college #undproud #university #collegelife #studentlife
"Would you hire the version of you that gets knocked down, learns from the mistake, and comes back wiser and stronger?"
In this powerful and provocative commencement address to the University of North Dakota Class of 2025, alum Jill Cholewa challenges graduates to look beyond their diplomas. While a degree proves what you know, Cholewa argues that your character defines where you will go.
By posing the ultimate self-reflection question — "Would You Hire You?" — she breaks down the difference between a resume of skills and a resume of character. From the "hidden" lessons of group projects to the 8 keys of success inspired by Denzel Washington, this speech is a roadmap for anyone looking to lead with integrity, empathy, and purpose.
In this speech, Jill discusses:
The "Hidden" Resume: Why all-nighters, group project friction, and part-time jobs are your real-world character references.
The 4 Pillars of a Great Candidate: Curiosity, Resilience, Collaboration, and Integrity.
The 8 Keys to Success: Hard work, patience, sacrifice, consistency, discipline, self-confidence, a positive attitude, and focus.
True Leadership: Why the best leaders are defined by their willingness to listen, their courage to be vulnerable, and their commitment to servitude.
Here is a compelling YouTube description for Jill Cholewa’s commencement speech, optimized for engagement and clarity.
Key Timestamps:
0:00 – Honoring the Class of 2025
0:58 – The Question: Would You Hire You?
2:07 – Character vs. Skills: Your "Hidden" Resume
3:15 – Pillar 1 & 2: Curiosity and Resilience
4:05 – Pillar 3 & 4: Collaboration and Integrity
5:22 – Denzel Washington’s 8 Keys to Success
6:52 – The 3 Qualities of Impactful Leadership
9:55 – Final Message: Trusting Your Growth
#UND #Commencement2025 #JillCholewa #Leadership #Motivation #GraduationSpeech #UniversityOfNorthDakota #CareerAdvice
---
Founded in 1883, six years before the state itself was established, the University of North Dakota is a busy 521-acre campus, the state’s largest. We're an innovator in engineering, medicine, aviation and unmanned aircraft systems with colleges of business, arts, sciences, nursing, aerospace, education, engineering and medicine. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered online and on campus.
WEBSITE: https://und.edu/
ABOUT: https://und.edu/about/index.html
MAJORS: https://und.edu/programs/
VISIT: https://und.edu/admissions/visit/
APPLY: https://und.edu/admissions/apply.html
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: instagram.com/uofnorthdakota
Facebook: facebook.com/UofNorthDakota
TikTok: tiktok.com/@uofnorthdakota
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/school/uofnorthdakota
#college #undproud #university #collegelife #studentlife
