Amy Poehler’s Harvard College Graduation Speech: “Find a group or people who challenge and inspire you”

Amy Poehler spoke to Harvard's 2011 graduating class last Wednesday, where she talked about the rules of improvisitaon that she applys to her everyday life, her advice on becoming an actor ("Don't do it" - at the 4:30 mark) and quoted the wise words of OutKast.


Why didn’t someone cool and inspiring speak at my college graduation ceremony? Ok, I’m sure who spoke was fine but I have absolutely memory of who it was or what they talked about. Plus, I probably just wanted them to stop talking so I could get out of that awful cap and gown.

Amy Poehler spoke to Harvard’s 2011 graduating class last Wednesday, where she talked about the rules of improvisation that she applies to her everyday life, her advice on becoming an actor (“Don’t do it” – at the 4:30 mark) and quoted the wise words of OutKast.

The speech is 15 minutes long but like Denzel Washington‘s speech to University of Pennsylvania last week, it is something I think you should listen to; it’s inspirational and funny.

My favorite part of the speech:

“You cant do it alone. As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people’s ideas are often better than your own. Find a group or people who challenge and inspire you. Spend a lot of time with them and it will change your life.”

For more inspiration, check out Denzel Washington‘s speech to Pittsburgh’s graduating class

Leave a Reply

Scroll to Top