Make your regrets by doing things, not for following that little voice that tells us all we can’t, U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, told Wiscasset Middle High School’s Class of 2016 on June 2.

“Err on the side of action.”

The advice an old New Hampshire man gave King in his 20’s was the best he’s ever gotten, he told the seniors on stage with him as he gave the graduation’s keynote speech. King shared several other pieces of advice, from work to the personal, including marriage.

“When in doubt, don’t get married. And ladies, he’s not a project,” won’t become someone different and won’t appreciate their attempt, King said.

He urged graduates to value family and friends. “(They) are what you have in the end.” Be there for them, and go to funerals even if they take place out-of-state, King said. The senator recalled the Milwaukee funeral of his wife’s father. “A good friend of ours from Maine was sitting in the front row. We didn’t know she was coming ... She was just there. And I can’t tell you what that meant.”

King apologized at one point to part of the crowd that was at his back. He noted at the start of his speech he was directing it to the seniors.

King received wide applause from the audience when he advised the graduates not to put anything into cyberspace they wouldn't want their grandmothers seeing on the front page of the newspaper. It's a digital tattoo, the senator said.

“Guess what? Employers know how to use Google.” Even with a good interview, they won't get the job if the employer finds something on Facebook that shows poor judgment, King said.

A job interview is over in the first 15 seconds — that’s how long it takes them to form a judgment about you, he said. He suggested a different take on a high-five, a high-seven, a handshake and eye contact. Dress like the person interviewing you, King said.

Whatever job you are in, approach it like it’s the greatest job you’re ever going to have, and be the best worker your employer has ever had, King said. 

King said in an interview that he hoped his advice would do a little good. He loves to join in a community event like graduation, where three or four generations are present, everyone’s in a good mood, and it’s an important moment, he said.

WMHS Principal Peg Armstong, who had invited King to speak, said later that she was pleased with the speech, glad that the senator put humor in it, and liked that he turned and spoke directly to the students.

When Armstrong and other school department officials met with King and his staff member Edie Smith before the ceremony, Smith told Armstrong she looked familiar. It turned out they went to Winthrop High School together.