10 pieces of career advice I wish I had (or took more seriously) in my 20s

I think we all have some level of regret for not listening to someone, something, some advice, etc when we were younger. Let’s be honest, my 20s kinda feels like a blur. For the most part, those 10 years were comprised of graduating college, attending grad school (twice) and beginning my career.

Speaking of which, there’s plenty I should have listened to in my 20s. Here’s 10 of those things:

1. You’re not behind, you’re just getting started: I wish I could tell grad school Jacob this one 100 times over.

2. No one has it figured out. They’re just pretending better: This one makes me feel suuuuper great.

3. It’s okay to change your mind: I changed my college major sophomore year. Shoutout to all my fellow Spanish majors out there. Business was not for me. And I also pivoted my career; I went from higher education into tech.

4. Your resume is not your life story: Keep it simple, brief, and make sure to quantify as much as possible.

5. Start investing early (ugh, wish I listened sooner): Whatever amount. $20/week, $50, $100, whatever it is. Find a high yield savings account and roth IRA and just put the money away and invest it. Just do it. Now.

6. Rest is productive: I need to (still) take this advice. Go on PTO. Walk away from the desk and computer. Take a second to chill.

7. If you’re cringing at your past self, you’re growing: Take it from someone who used to have like 5 or 6 lines of text is my email signature. As a college student. oof. yikes. dang.

8. Speak up and advocate for yourself: Opportunities don’t just fall out of thin air. You are the only one who can make it happen if you speak up and say something.

9. Network like crazy: Be kind, curious, and follow up.

10. Trust the process: Seriously, just trust it. (You gotta be engaged in said process, though).

Many of these, and honestly, if not all of them, I still remind myself of now and again.

The main theme I collect from it all is that you are your biggest advocate. And as cheesy as that sounds, it’s true. Your manager is never going to know what you want or where you want to be in your career if you don’t say something. No one is going to know you’re interested in a job unless you apply. A conference can’t select your session if you don’t submit content. (You get the picture).

Career advice can sometimes be stale and full of nothingness, but it can also help shape your POV on how you execute on your career goals. It gives you a framework, if you will, for how you will take the steps to reach your goals.

Take it from me; I never took saving or investing seriously until I was maybe 28, 29, or 30. Seriously. I feel like that was very late. Others would argue it’s right on time. But I kept hearing over and over on the internet from everyday people, how important investing was. And I heard it from my parents too, trust me.

And so one day I committed, and I never looked back. Now I’m in a spot where it’s just the norm to invest and save.

Even if it’s just $10. Put it somewhere. Max out that roth IRA each year!*
*I am not a financial advisor. This is just what I do.

We’re all just trying to figure it out, so just do the best you can. Do you.

Thanks for reading and for being here. I don’t take for granted that you care what I have to say. Or even if you don’t care, and you’re still here; thanks for being a fan anyway. ❣️

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