The final Short Talk set out to address how to lead an engaged life. Drawing comparisons to love and citing personal stories, the speakers entertained their audience, but also challenged delegates and staff to always strive for more.

Teju Ravilochan of Unreasonable Institute opened the presentation by drawing a metaphor to love.  He encouraged audience members to find a project or job that they feel as much passion towards as they do when they are in love.

After asking audience members to describe the crazy feelings of love, he asked, “How many of you feel the same way about your job?”

Ravilochan condensed his advice on finding this dream job to five steps.  He dared his audience to take risks and surround yourself with a strong supporters.

In her address, Elmira Bayrasli also stressed the importance of finding a position in life that you truly enjoy.  She told a story about her brother that wanted to be a mailman.  Her family members laughed at the idea, but after explaining his reasons behind her mailman aspirations, they conceded he had a point.

Receiving mail was the only way Bayrasli’s mother, an immigrant from Turkey, could keep in touch with her family back home.  Each day she set aside time to wait for the mailmen. Bayrasli’s brother the happiness the mailmen brought in her day, and wanted to bring happiness to others.

Bayrasli also stressed the importance of thinking about your needs in the process of finding a career path.“You don’t have to do just what makes others happy; you have to do what makes you happy,” she said.

Both speakers encouraged audience members to push themselves, but also stressed the importance of finding enjoyment in life. Check out photos from the final short talk here.

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