Michael Smerconish’s Top College Advice: It’s Not Just Your Degree
You’ve worked hard to get into college. You’re putting in the hours to earn that degree. But according to Michael Smerconish, if you only focus on academics, you are missing out on the biggest advantage higher education offers.
For those who may not know him, Michael Smerconish is a nationally recognized television host, radio broadcaster, and commentator who has built a long, successful career while remaining deeply connected to his roots in the Philadelphia area.
At the recent 40th Anniversary Gala for the Philadelphia Education Fund (PEF)—the organization that powers PhillyGoes2College—Michael led a compelling panel featuring PEF leadership and distinguished guests. Immediately following that conversation, he sat down with Kyra to share some highly practical, “old school” advice for students and young professionals trying to get ahead. He noted that while you absolutely have to know things, you also have to know people, emphasizing that building relationships is one of the best ways to improve economic mobility.
Network Horizontally, Not Just Vertically
It’s easy to focus only on trying to meet professors, deans, or CEOs. But as Michael points out, the classmates sitting next to you have been heavily screened, are highly intelligent, and are going places too.
Kyra brilliantly summed this up during their conversation as the importance of “networking horizontally”—a concept Michael loved so much he plans to steal it for himself! Don’t just do the work and turn in your thesis. Take the time to mingle and build relationships with your peers that you can carry through life. In fact, Michael attributes much of his own lifelong advantage to building these long-term relationships within a 50-mile radius of the Philadelphia area.
Watch the Full Interview: How to “Ask for the Order”
Want to know exactly how to stand out in a crowded digital world? In this quick interview, Michael shares a real-world example of how a simple, old-school gesture—like the handwritten note tucked into his gift bag by PEF CEO Farah Jimenez—can open doors that an email never could.
Don’t Hide Behind the Keyboard
If you want to meet someone, work for someone, or land an internship, you have to be willing to “ask for the order”.
Don’t just sit behind a screen and send a generic email. Send a handwritten note. Ask for a quick cup of coffee. As this interview proves, you can set yourself apart from the crowd simply by stepping away from the keyboard and making a genuine, human connection. After all, Kyra landed this very interview just by walking up and asking him for a couple of minutes of his time.
🎉 PhillyGoes2College is powered by the Philadelphia Education Fund!
This year, PEF is celebrating 40 years of supporting students and empowering them to pursue postsecondary success. Learn more about our 40th Anniversary Gala and the ongoing impact of our work here.
