By: Alejandra Ruiz, DePaul University Honors Marketing Major ‘16

If you’re like me, you get a cold rush that runs through your body when thinking about your future career; and even more, when you’re on the verge of giving up because a tough class starts to discourage you, or because you didn’t get that dream job or internship. Remember, in those hard times, all we really need is a little motivation.

So, my goal today is to motivate you with some inspirational career quotes. I’m sure (or at least hope) these quotes will encourage you to keep working toward your dream career, and to never give up.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — Abraham Lincoln

“You are unrepeatable. There is a magic about you that is all your own.” — D.M. Dell

“Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it” — Katherine Whitehorn

“Feeling confident – or pretending that you feel confident – is necessary to reach for opportunities. It’s a cliché, but opportunities are rarely offered; they’re seized.” — Sheryl Sandberg

“If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat! Just get on.” — Sheryl Sandberg

“I want to look back on my career and be proud of the work, and be proud that I tried everything.” — Jon Stewart

“Dreams are extremely important. You can’t do it unless you imagine it.” — George Lucas

“Desire! That’s the one secret of every man’s career. Not education. Not being born with hidden talents. Desire.” — Johnny Carson

“Waiting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” — Marilyn Monroe

“It’s not the days in your life, but the life in your days that counts.” — Brian White

“Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.” — General George Patton

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” — Albert Einstein

“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” — Proverb

“Risk something or forever sit with your dreams.” — Herb Brooks

“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” — Chris Grosser

“If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” — Thomas Edison

“As long as you’ve got passion, faith, and are willing to work hard, you can do anything and have anything you want in this world.” — Anonymous

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

“Go confident in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.” — Henry David Thoreau

I hope you’re motivated, and more excited than ever to finish this school year strong!

How to keep the motivational vibes flowing? Print a few of these quotes and tape them somewhere visible as little inspirational reminders. In addition, I encourage you to visit the Career Center for extra motivation and career support. Wonderful career advisors will help you in the process of achieving your career goals.

Remember, “hard work pays off!”