Cosmo for Latinas EIC Michelle Herrera Mulligan gives keynote address at Rising Moxie Conference – May 16. (Image: @HigherEdLatinas|Twitter)

It’s graduation season and there’s tons of career, life and leadership advice circulating the web. Tips on nailing your first post-grad gig, or finding the right graduate school, and staying positive in the thick of life’s latest transition, as well as how to navigate the very valuable alumni network.  The latest surge in advice inspired me to think about what advice really worked for me after walking across the big stage.

But I didn’t have to search too far for major life gems. Career and networking site Be Moxie and Latinas in Higher Education hosted their inaugural Rising Moxie Conference, a full-day event for high school girls and their parents, introducing them to the financial aid process, SAT and ACT preparation, and career paths, among other higher ed topics. To kick off the conference, Cosmopolitan for Latinas Editor-in-Chief Michelle Herrera Mulligan spoke candidly about lessons she’s learned growing up and throughout her career. Here are five life-changing gems for conquering career, life y más.

“Dream as big and wild as humanly possible.” – @mhmwriter #RisingMoxie #BeMoxie

— Janel Martinez (@janelmwrites) May 16, 2015

Dream Big

At some point when we grow up, we regulate our dreams. We stop thinking that we can achieve the impossible or, as I see it, what we put our mind to.  Many entrepreneurs possess the ability to dream big—the bigger, the better. So what if others think it’s unattainable, you have the vision and skills to make it happen. Go for it! 

“The decisions you make when you fail are more important than the decisions you make when you succeed.” – @mhmwriter #RisingMoxie #BeMoxie — Janel Martinez (@janelmwrites) May 16, 2015

Fail Forward

When you fail forward, you learn from that failure. If you learned from a failure, it’s technically not a failure.  Failure and missteps create leaders.

“I haven’t gotten a lot of invitations in life but I always did ask…there is massive power in asking” – @mhmwriter #risingmoxie

— Be Moxie (@Be_Moxie) May 16, 2015

Just Ask

How many times has pride or insecurity gotten in the way of someone asking for support? Far too many times to count—believe that! But think about what happens when you just open yourself up, take that risk and ask for whatever it is that you need. Oftentimes, we get a “yes” when we thought we’d get a “no.” And even if we get a “no,” it’s “no” for now, not necessarily forever.

“committing to what you love, is one of the most important things you can do” @mhmwriter #risingmoxie #bemoxie #sermoxie

— Be Moxie (@Be_Moxie) May 16, 2015

Do What You Love

Sounds cliché but this is the realest advice I’ve received. It was a theme weaved throughout Michelle’s talk. With student loans, big moves and bills, a check seems like it’ll fulfill all of your needs. However, if you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, you’ll grow to hate your job and that check. Trust, follow your passion and the money will come. (Sacrifice may be involved but the payoff is more than a monetary return.)

What advice would you give to your 20-something self? Let us know in the comments section.