Dear Graduate — Crossing the Finish Line

In this episode of On The Way To School, Dr. Chris Dennis launches the new "Dear Graduate" segment and focuses on the idea of the finish line as a real but recurring transition. He encourages graduates to view completion as a handoff to the next version of themselves, to be intentional, ask questions, and use available resources without striving for perfection.

He also reflects on life after advanced degrees—how research can be applied through practice, consulting, or publishing, and how the boundaries of academic work change after graduation as you move into new phases of professional life.