Hi, dear graduating class of 2020,
I'm Pia Tischhauser.
I'm based here in Switzerland at the moment,
working from home
and I'm part of BCG's Executive Committee
and I lead our global insurance practice.
First of all, let me wholeheartedly congratulate you
to your great success of graduating.
And I think this is always then a question
on where do you take it from here?
And I wanted to share with you my personal story
and I think with that also, our family story.
This is here my son, Maxie, and I think many times
as I went through my career
I was asking myself,
can I really do what I am passionate about?
Does that really work, having a family?
Do I have enough time?
And for me the key learning was,
we're really good
as a mom,
and also on the professional side
when we're passionate and when we're happy
about what we're doing.
And that many times means trying something new,
going against the odds,
and in particular, also daring something new.
And always when I was in doubt
there is a favorite poem that I have
which is by Robert Frost and it's about the road not taken.
And there is a passage in there that says,
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-"
"I took the one less traveled by,"
"And that has made all the difference."
So I hope very much that you're daring,
try something new, try paths that nobody has gone,
and in particular, make sure that you're always passionate
and do what is both important for you to be happy,
not only on a professional side,
but in particular, also in your personal life,
and you will be successful.
With that I wish you lots of luck
in trying and going your own path.