Larry Ellison's commencement address at the University of Southern California

Summary

In this inspiring commencement speech, the speaker reflects on his journey from aspiring doctor to tech entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of pursuing one's own dreams rather than the expectations of others. He shares his experiences in the 1960s, from dropping out of college to finding passion in environmentalism, sailing, and eventually, computer programming. His story illustrates the value of experimentation, the courage to challenge experts, and the pursuit of a meaningful life beyond financial success, as exemplified by his friendship with Steve Jobs. The speaker encourages graduates to embrace change, explore their interests, and commit to causes that elevate humanity.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and pursuing one's own dreams, rather than living up to others' expectations.
• 🏥 The initial dream of attending USC Medical School and becoming a doctor was influenced by family and societal pressures, but ultimately not aligned with the speaker's true interests.
• 🚗 At 21, the speaker dropped out of college and moved to Berkeley, California, which was a pivotal decision in the journey of self-discovery.
• 🏞️ A love for nature and the outdoors, specifically the Sierra Nevada mountains and Yosemite Valley, became a significant part of the speaker's identity and passion.
• 💻 The speaker found enjoyment and success in computer programming, which provided a sense of satisfaction akin to solving math problems and playing chess.
• 🛶 The pursuit of a sailing class led to a lifelong passion for the ocean, demonstrating the speaker's willingness to explore new interests.
• 💔 A divorce and family disapproval highlighted a conflict between personal aspirations and the expectations of others, but reinforced the speaker's commitment to their own path.
• 🔧 The speaker's entrepreneurial journey began with the intention of creating the perfect job, which unexpectedly led to the founding of a large company, Oracle.
• 🌐 The development of the Oracle database was considered a 'crazy idea' by experts, but it became a foundational technology of the Information Age, illustrating the importance of challenging conventional wisdom.
• 🤝 The friendship with Steve Jobs and their shared walks often led to profound discussions about life, ambition, and the pursuit of meaningful work over monetary gain.
• 💼 Steve Jobs' return to Apple was driven by a sense of moral responsibility and a desire to contribute significantly to the world, rather than personal wealth.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial dream when he was the age of the graduating class?

The speaker's initial dream was to attend the USC Medical School, get married, raise a family, and practice medicine in Los Angeles.

Why did the speaker feel he couldn't become a doctor?

The speaker didn't enjoy the pre-med courses, particularly comparative anatomy, and found it difficult to study something that didn't interest him, leading him to believe he lacked discipline and was selfish.

What significant change did the speaker make at the age of 21?

The speaker dropped out of college, packed his belongings, and drove from Chicago to Berkeley, California, in search of a new path.

What drew the speaker to the Sierra Nevada mountains and Yosemite Valley?

The speaker fell in love with the natural beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains and Yosemite Valley, and he became passionate about preserving the wilderness.

What jobs did the speaker have during his time in California?

The speaker worked as a river guide and a rock climbing instructor in Yosemite Valley, and also as a computer programmer in Berkeley.

How did the speaker's relationship with his wife end, and what was her main concern about him?

The speaker's wife divorced him because she saw him as irresponsible and lacking ambition, particularly when he expressed a desire to buy a sailboat.

What was the speaker's approach to starting his own company?

The speaker aimed to create a small company with the most talented programmers, focusing on interesting and challenging software projects, with the goal of creating the perfect job for himself.

What was the 'crazy idea' that led to the creation of Oracle?

The crazy idea was to build the world's first relational database, which many experts believed would not be fast enough to be useful.

How did the speaker's relationship with Steve Jobs influence his perspective on work and ambition?

Steve Jobs taught the speaker that after a certain point, work should not be about money but about doing something important and standing on the moral high ground.

What advice does the speaker give to the graduating class about finding their path in life?

The speaker advises the graduates to not be afraid to experiment, try different things, and not let experts discourage them from challenging the status quo.

What is the speaker's final message to the graduates about their future and the world's?

The speaker encourages the graduates to understand that what is possible is always changing, and they have the opportunity to discover who they are, live their own dreams, and commit to a righteous cause.