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Ask HN: Career advice, please

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Re: Ask HN: Career advice, please

#11

Post by wallawe »

coreygoodie wrote: post #10
wallawe wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Obviously I don't know all the details but you've got two disparate but important things to take into consideration here: (1) A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. To have the job now even though it's not exactly what you want is important for the aforementioned reasons. Not to mention the possibility of transfer. I would lean this way. (2) HOWEVER, I am the type of person who won't shine unless I'm doing what…

Again, thanks. Definitely something to think about. I very much to have the capacity to 'buckle down' and do something that isn't my number one priority, if it has the potential to pay off in the future. At this point, thanks to your comments, I'm leaning to just applying for both positions and just seeing what happens.

Email me in the future if you want any advice (in profile). I'm interning at LivingSocial in DC right now and love the hell out of it.

Re: Ask HN: Career advice, please

#12

Post by sherm8n »

How do you know you'll love the product management position? It may be fun for a few months, but if it's not something you're passionate about you'll get bored. You'll fall in this groove of making really easy money and just be comfortable. There's nothing wrong with that if that's what you want!

When I was 22 all I wanted to do was find a high paying job. America kind of brainwashes you to think that's the logical next step after college. Spend some time thinking about what makes you happy and what you REALLY want to do with your life. Then just go after it. No need to wait and prepare yourself. Life is short man.

Re: Ask HN: Career advice, please

#13

Post by coreygoodie »

sherm8n wrote: post #12

How do you know you'll love the product management position? It may be fun for a few months, but if it's not something you're passionate about you'll get bored. You'll fall in this groove of making really easy money and just be comfortable. There's nothing wrong with that if that's what you want! When I was 22 all I wanted to do was find a high paying job. America kind of brainwashes you to think that's the logical n…

Do I know for sure? No. Currently though, it looks like what I'd be most interested in.

I chased the money after graduating, and it hasn't worked out the way I wanted it too - honestly, at this point, as long as I can afford rent, student loans, PBR and the occasional concert ticket, I'm a happy camper. I just want a position that allows me to work with great people, learn, be creative, and grow as a person.

Re: Ask HN: Career advice, please

#14

Post by yashchandra »

One advice I would like to give as a 31 year old to 20 year old kids is: Save up. This may not seem like having any connection with career or startups etc at first. But only if I had saved up last 10 years, I would have a lot better safety net to quit my job and start something of my own. Not that I would not do it now but it would have been nicer to have a better padding. It is simple. If you have entrepreneurial itch as a 20 year old, you cannot have the lifestyle of a regular 20 year old who spends most of what they make (not generalizing necessarily but you get my point). I bought a BMW convertible 4 years ago since I could afford it. I did not think about saving that extra money instead and keep my old car which was btw a 2006 Honda. So you see the point. Today, I only drive my wife's car since I can commute to work using public transportation. Just my 2 cents.
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