Combs inspires all to reach for success

photo by Sylvia Castellanos

Patrick Combs, best selling author of "Major in Success," talks about the five steps to prepare for a job interview. As a former producer for Real TV, he emphasizes that all goals are "reachable."

by Desiree Quintero
Staff Writer

Yellow balloons were placed throughout the University of La Verne campus last week to announce the arrival of author and career coach Patrick Combs, who spoke to students and employees on Feb. 26.

After being introduced, Combs walked straight to the board and wrote in all capital letters, "IT'S REACHABLE!"

Combs wanted everyone in the room to know that no matter what their dreams or how high their goals, nothing is beyond their reach. Making the audience repeat the phrase twice, he reiterated his point.

Combs walked around the room completely confident, with his head held high, believing every word he spoke.

Early in his speech, Combs got the crowd involved by throwing a beach ball into the audience with different things written - things that he said could help with getting a dream job, like writing a resume or creating a portfolio.

"I thought it was a really good speech," said Erin McAndrew, junior. "I got a lot out of it."

Combs spoke about how to get the most out of college by following your passions and how to get a great job after graduation.

Combs motivated the audience into believing that dreams that seem far fetched are really within reach.

"It was an awesome and inspirational speech," said Heather Bloomsness, freshman. "It was cool having someone here who spoke at Stanford. I really liked it."

To find your passion, Combs said to ask yourself this question, "If you could have your ideal life right now, what would it be like?"

Following your passion is a priceless thing, and it is true that you need to work hard to achieve your dreams, he said.

It may seem hard at the time, but once you are successful, living the dream will be well worth it, he said.

"Follow your passion. It is the greatest treasure you will ever discover in your life," Combs said.

Living a life that someone else has chosen for you is no life at all, he said.

Being happy with your life and knowing that you reached your dreams - doing something that you really love is all the joy in the world, he said.

"College is an easy place to forget about your dreams because they give you so much homework," Combs said.

Although the pressures of college, homework, responsibility and other engagements can bury your dreams, it is important to remember what they are,Combs said.

A college education is meant to fulfill dreams, providing the skills it takes to attain them, he said.

Combs said that many students study things they are not passionate about solely for the paycheck that will eventually follow.

Statistics show that the small percentage of graduates who actually become millionaires are the ones who had the courage to follow their passions, he said.

Having gone through college himself, Combs said he can relate to the students to whom he speaks.

Combs referred to his own life during his speech because that is where he got most of his inspiration and drive.

Combs, one of two children, lived in a trailer park with his mother. From a young age Combs' mother instilled in him that there was nothing more important than a college education.

Combs graduated from San Francisco State University. At 26, he decided to become a public speaker. At 28, he wrote his first book.

Combs has sold more than 100,000 copies of his book, "Major in Success." Royalties from the book are donated to the World Food Program, to help feed starving children.