After college，I went to law school for three years，and then into my dream job at a big NY law firm.But even though it had been my dream，I didn’t like it once I got there.
For the first time，I was feeling financially secure，but I knew I wasn‘t passionate enough about what I was doing.And because I didn’t love it，I would never be fulfilled from it，or be really good at it.Someone who loved it more would have greater enthusiasm and focus.For some it was fun；for me it was always going to be a chore.
After five years at a law firm，I decided I wanted to try something different.I came home and told my wife I was quitting，and she cried.And not out of happiness.Anyway，it worked out.I got a new job at a small Wall Street firm，we got bought out by a larger firm，and I ended up remaining at a large firm……Goldman Sachs.
In my career，I‘ve been fortunate to know and work with many of this country’s top CEOs and business leaders.I‘m always struck by a certain passion that defines them.While they may be wealthy and powerful，their passion goes beyond money and power.
I won’t stand here and tell you those are bad things.They can be pretty good，but only if you have a larger purpose in mind.If you don‘t have passion for your work or the drive to make a better life for your kids than your own，then you won’t have what it takes to keep you going.
So，I‘d like to leave you with some specific advice that will hopefully keep you going：
First，confidence really matters.
Recognize you have earned the right to be confident.Most of you have made great sacrifices and overcome great obstacles to get where you are today.You built up muscles that others who’ve had an easier time don‘t have.Those muscles will serve you for the rest of your life.
My struggle to get to and through college turned out to be an advantage for me.The disadvantages you have had become part of your personal history and track record，all advantages in your later life.So confidence is justified.
Second，find a job that you like.
You’ll be better at it and you‘ll last longer in it.Having said that，in a tough economy，or because of family pressures，you may not always be able to take a risk with a job choice.And，no doubt，we’ve all settled at various times.
But，don‘t let necessity in a given moment become the excuse for a lifetime of inertia.Keep trying to get yourself to the right place.If I’d stayed a lawyer，I could have made it work for a while，but I would have fizzled out eventually because I didn‘t love it.
Third，be a well rounded，complete person.
Many of you will go for further education or career training.Of course，it’s important to learn the things that you need to make a living.But，don‘t forget to read，and to learn history，literature and about current events.
You’ll be more interesting to others，more interesting to yourself and you‘ll be more successful in your job.Most of the books I’ve read didn‘t apply directly to my job or industry，but I’ve applied their lessons in unexpected ways.
Fourth，be involved in the community.
Find ways to contribute to make yourself proud and set an example to your kids.Making a living is not life.It is a means to an end，not the end.You have to feel proud of yourself.There are always going to be people who struggle and for whom community work is not a realistic option，but try.
I‘ve done plenty to advance myself over the years.But，the older I get，the more satisfaction I get from serving and advancing others.In fact that’s how I first got involved with President Mellow and LaGuardia-through the 10，000Small Businesses program we initiated at your school.
Finally，appreciate that life is unpredictable，so don‘t close your mind to possibilities.
Try to surround yourself with people who are equally ambitious.Put yourself in situation where you can grow—where you’ll not only push yourself but others will push you.
What were the chances that a kid from the poverty would run one of the great financial institutions in the world？You just never know.That unpredictability is the great thing about life.You change.The world changes.
You live in a country where we are still blessed with enormous opportunity.Leave yourself open to the world of possibility.You have the ambition，you have the smarts and you have the toughness.So，turn the page on your biography-you have just started a new chapter in your lives.
Good luck and congratulations to you and your families.
译文参考
人生不要自我设限
——劳尔德·贝兰克梵在拉瓜迪亚大学的演讲
麦罗校长，各位尊敬的老师、朋友、亲人们以及2013年的毕业生们：
今天能够来到这里与你们一起分享你们的成就和荣耀，令我感到万分荣幸。但是我必须承认，我是带着一些不安来参加这次活动的。我想，这里曾经有过很多更认真的毕业典礼发言，还有更多用心倾听的听众，但是比起其他的沟通方式来说，这也是更容易被遗忘的。
所以，我会尽量让我的演讲简短而实用。我的全部建议都是来自我自己的经历。而我的经历，从很多方面来看，和你们当中很多人经历的并没有什么不同。
在我成长的过程中，上大学是一个美好愿望而不是理所当然的事情。我亲眼看见我父母奋斗了大半生，仅为了维持每天的生计而努力工作，甚至有时会因为生活压力而打消他们对我的任何期望和梦想。他们都没有上过大学，而我唯一的兄长也没有读过大学。
我的父亲是邮局的邮件分拣员，他通常选择上夜班，是因为夜班比白班的报酬多了10%，而我的母亲只是个防盗警报公司的接待员——这已然是在我所居住的社区中为数不多的好行业之一了。我在林登小区长大，你们当中的很多人都知道，这是纽约东区的一个住宅区。
它一直都是一个贫穷的社区，但是也出了一些有成就的人，有些正是因为这一背景而成功，有些则是因为克服了这一背景而做出了成绩。我毕业于托马斯·杰斐逊高中，学校在此之后就关闭了高中部，现在仅提供各种技能培训项目。直到高中毕业，我一直和我的一大家子人居住在一个小小的公寓里，里面住着我的奶奶、妹妹还有侄儿。
但是回过头想想，我也正是在这样一个有着无限机遇的世界长大的。我每天晚上都会读书，阅读向我展开了整个世界。我喜欢读历史，尤其是传记。在传记里面，你总是能看到一个似乎是无足轻重的人，最终却拥有与众不同的人生。
不论是过去还是现在，传记仍然很吸引我，它吸引我的原因是，书中的人物在自己生命的初期，一般是在前五十页当中，是不会知道他或者是她会在第三百页的时候取得的成功。他们并不知道将会变得伟大。
仔细想想这点吧，这将成为你们未来生活中保持乐观精神的一个很棒的理由。你们每个人还都处于你们传记中的前五十页，之后你们还有几百页要走呢。
在漫长的成长中，我的最大目标就是走出纽约东区。所以我参加了大学入学考试，并发誓一定要进大学。最后我成功了。我去读大学时也正是我第一次离开纽约市的时候。
大学是一个令我心生敬畏的地方。其他的学生似乎对此都感到很自然并充满信心，很多人曾到处旅行，好像对这个世界也十分了解。直到现在，我都无法忘记我当时的不安，但是正是这种感觉更加激发我努力学习。
当我确定自己的定位时，我变得更有野心了。野心是你内心的声音，告诉你可以而且应该努力去超越人生的处境或者是限制。你必须克服障碍，扛住压力，消除自我怀疑，你能做到这些，那么就证明你有足够的野心。