Anxiety in outlining post-graduation plans is something to which many college students can relate.
Some are nervous they will not be able to find a job; others are worried their major will not help them in the job market. Some are just afraid they will be stuck in a boring job that they find meaningless and lackluster.
Patrick Combs says he can quell all these fears in 90 minutes.
"It will be the best hour and a half of your life," said Combs. "You'll leave my talk with a more confident attitude about how to have a better, more fun college experience."
Best-selling author and award-winning motivational speaker Combs has been said to have the answer on how to live a passionate, fulfilling life. He has been featured on "Good Morning America," "The Phil Donahue Show," "The Montel Williams Show," and has been interviewed by Barbara Walters.
Combs will be coming to speak in the Student Union Theater on Feb. 24, to lend his voice of motivation to the anxious undergraduates facing graduation, internship applications and interviews.
In his lecture, Combs said he will outline what it takes to succeed. He mentions that one key factor is having drive and motivation, and that working hard at what one loves to do will significantly increase ones chances of being successful.
"Some people are just born with drive, however, everyone can achieve that level of passion," said Combs.
Combs said his seminar offers his advice on how to obtain this "drive."
"Everyone can find at least one activity that fires you up," said Combs. "The activities that give you energy, instead of taking energy away, are what you should look into."
Combs also tries to dispel the myth that majors mean everything to what students become and what they will achieve in life.
"Majors are nothing after college," Combs said. "Do what is going to energize you the most and what you are going to want to listen to for four years."
In addition to offering insight and comforting the anxious, Combs is known for his comical anecdotes and refreshing enthusiasm that keeps his audiences captivated by his encouraging words.
Combs relates the story of one middle-aged man who attended one of his speeches because the man was unhappy with his life. When Combs asked him what his passions were, he said the two things he loved the most were God and wrestling.
Combs advised him to go on the Internet, type in God and wrestling, and see what comes up.
A few weeks later, Combs received a call from the man thanking him. He did as Combs said, discovered the Christian World Wrestling Federation, and secured an internship with them.
"I never knew the Christian World Wrestling Federation actually existed," said Combs. "But that's the whole point, you just have to go for it."
"Going for it" is the primary focus of Combs's talks. His message urges students to forget about majors and go with what they are truly passionate about.
Danielle Wallenhorst, a sophomore business major, said she has high standards for motivational speakers.
"He has to be able to grab my attention and keep it throughout the whole time," said Wallenhorst. "He definitely cannot be boring."
Despite Combs's widespread popularity - he is nearing 1,000 speaking engagements - Combs remains modest about the possible reasons for his influence on those who attend his lectures.
"What makes me different from other speakers is that I'm just an ordinary guy, with many flaws that people find they can easily relate to," he said.
Combs graduated from San Francisco State University with a major in speech and communication.
"I didn't figure out what I really wanted to do until I was 26-years-old," he said.
With the help of a kind mentor and inspiration from his "patron saint," actor Will Rogers, he took action.
"When I finally decided that motivational speaking is what I want to do I licked and stamped 1,300 envelopes to different businesses and universities and got a response to one of them," said Combs. "And that was my starting point."
Combs said people always complain about never achieving their dreams and become discouraged almost immediately because they feel their goals are unreachable.
"The missing ingredient is they never actually tried," he said.
Students interested in hearing Combs can attend "Major in Success with Patrick Combs" on Feb. 24, 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Student Union Theater.
Seniors can stop in to "Success for Seniors With Patrick Combs," 3:30 to 5 p.m. Feb. 24, in the Student Union Theater.
