Mr. Kurfess' Advice Page (updated 5/16/23)
- From Dr. Seuss: Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
- If you do something for yourself, when you die, it will be gone forever.
If you do something for someone else, it could last forever.
- Success is not what you do for yourself, but what others do because of you.
- Work Ethic is more important than smarts.
- Time is precious......waste it wisely.
- Give blood as often as you can - it saves lives and your body always makes more blood. By the way, the blood type of an optimist is always be positive. (B+)
- Buy a used car - let someone else take the first year's depreciation (10-20%).
- Buy a stick-shift car - it's a good skill to have (I can teach you) and very few can borrow your car in college.
- Start saving for your retirement the moment you get out of college - you will be able to retire early.
- Give a good firm handshake - it shows that you are confident.
- NEVER drink and drive and always wear your seatbelt - I want to see you at your class reunion.
- Don't be afraid to ask for advice or give good advice.
- It's OK NOT to go to a 4 year college....some people go to a private university right after high school and pay $40,000 just to drop out after the first year. Now they are $40,000 in debt. Go to Harper and test out the waters. It's only $3000 per year and it's a really good school. Remember, the credits transfer to most 4 year schools.
- If you don't want to go to college at all, make sure you further your education somehow. Learn a trade (plumber, electrician, carpenter) and get good at that trade. A plumber charges you $100 just to walk in the front door.
- When you get your driver's license, make sure you register to be an organ donor. If you unfortunately die, you really don't need your organs anymore, and you can let other people live. You can save up to 25 lives.....25!!!!! Think about it....wouldn't you want a family member to live by receiving a donated organ?
- When a charitable group is asking for donations on the street, give them a dollar. They are volunteering their time to help others that are less fortunate.
- Take a little time off when you graduate from college. Do a road trip with some friends and see the USA. It may be the only time when you have no worries and many days of vacation.
- Remember....random acts of kindness are important. It's nice to give your mom some flowers and thank her on Mother's Day. Why not give her flowers on a random day....maybe March 14 (PI Day). If you ask her what you gave her for Mother's Day 2 years ago, she won't really remember. If you asked her what you gave her on that random day, she will remember it forever.
- Make good decisions in college. No drugs/alcohol/cheating. If your friends are into that, then you are hanging out with the wrong people. Do you really need alcohol to have fun?
- The magic GPA in college is 3.0 (B average). When you start your job search, employers want a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Many won't even interview you with a 2.99 GPA. If you get lots of C's during your freshman year, remember that you will have to balance those out with A's. Take your freshman year very seriously.
- Get involved in college. When you go for your job interview when you graduate, the interviewer will spend a very short amount of time asking about your academics. They will have your transcript in their hands and know all about the classes you have taken. They want to know about your extracurricular activities or job experiences. Make sure you have a lot to talk about.
- Choose a career based on your love for that career. Don't pick a career based on money. If you want to be a doctor because they make a lot of money, then you are choosing the wrong career. If you want to be a doctor because you want to help cure people from sicknesses, then you have chosen the right one.
- Be passionate about life. Set an example for others around you. Make sure you enjoy your job. My belief is that you excel in your career if you love what you do. If you are in it for the money, can you really improve?
- My homeowners and auto insurance company (I switched 2 years ago)- American Family - through Costco - I switch from Liberty Mutual and literally saved 50% on my car insurance and 30% on my homeowners insurance.
- If you crack your windshield, the best (cheapest) place to get a replacement is aaronglass.com
- The best cash back credit card currently is a Fidelity Visa Card. I get 2% cash back on EVERYTHING!! fidelity.com
- I recently got an Amazon Visa Card. I only use this for my Amazon purchases. I get a full 5% cash back for all Amazon purchases. It's like getting a 5% coupon for every purchase. I don't carry that card with me, since I only use it online. amazon.com
- When you receive an award, write the organization a "thank you" note. Don't just get the award and run. Show your appreciation.
- As you move up the ladder in an organization, don't forget the "little people" As a CEO of a bank, you should visit the tellers. As a Vice President of a car manufacturer, you should visit the line workers. Let them know you care. They will never forget your visits and they will bend over backwards to help you out in the future.