Unlocking Career Wisdom: 17 Game-Changing Tips for Your 20s

Your 20s can be a tumultuous time of discovery, and it can help to hear from people on the other side. Take it from me. I’m in my 30s. I don’t have regrets about the detours and pivots my career has taken, but if I could go back in time to the previous decade, I would tell my younger self to negotiate her starting salary when she gets that one job offer — because the thousands lost compared to her peers will sting later.

Back then, I was so grateful to have a job, I didn’t realize employers should also be grateful to have me. And I would let her know that the people you work with matter just as much, if not more, than the work you end up doing. You can’t get good work done without mutual respect. Caring co-workers kept me sane during long shifts in an unstable industry while bad colleagues drove me out of projects I enjoyed doing. Learning who will be a bigger headache to work with means learning to trust your instincts.

1. Don’t put stock into what people think of your potential.

“Raise that chin, girl, the best thing for you will eventually be your ability to disregard everything they taught you to ‘succeed’...” — Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez, founder of Latina Rebels.

2. There is no such thing as a dream job.

“I wish I’d been told in my 20s that there is no such thing as a ‘dream job’... Success and fulfillment in a job means having continuous growth and learning.” — Alisha Ramos, founder of Girls’ Night In.

3. Things take time, so make time for life, too.

“Go toward what you like to do, not what you think you should do.” — Alyssa Limperis, comedian.

4. Figure out the unspoken rules of your desired profession.

“The sooner you uncover the unspoken rules of your desired profession, the sooner you can start focusing your time on the highest-impact activities.” — Gorick Ng, career adviser.

5. Respect everyone because you never know who will be in your corner.

“So many parts of my success have been boiled down to doing the right thing by my relationships.” — Jamal Robinson, director of sales and marketing.

6. Resist ableist pressures.

“Society will pressure you to act and look non-disabled. Resist these ableist pressures.” — Haben Girma, human rights lawyer.

7. Understand you can reinvent yourself as many times as you want.

“Don’t worry so much about the folks who don’t believe in what you’re doing, you can reinvent yourself as many times as you want.” — Ayesha McGowan, professional road cyclist.

8. Don’t be afraid to travel if you can.

“Be open to new opportunities. Don’t miss out on good money and good life experiences for what is comfortable.” — Demetrious Parker, microbiologist.

9. Take risks.

“Your 20s is a great time to take career risks. It’s easier to bounce back from failures at this stage of life.” — Martinus Evans, marathoner.

10. It’s good to acknowledge when you’ve outgrown a dream.

“The thing you got your degree in doesn’t have to be the thing you do for the rest of your life.” — Carla Stickler, Spotify web engineer.

11. Start therapy sooner.

“Start therapy sooner so that you can recognize when your childhood wounds are being exploited by an employer.” — Vivianne Castillo, UX researcher.

12. You are most valuable in your career when you understand what you bring to the table.

“Learn who you are, what you’re good at... You are the most valuable in your career when you understand who you are.” — Jamal Robinson.

13. Get a decade’s head start on developing your leadership by working with a coach.

“I wish I started working with a professional coach early on in my career.” — Marian Cheng, co-founder of Mimi Cheng’s Dumplings.

14. Approach your career less like a goal to be conquered, and more like an ever-changing entity to investigate.

“Fostering connections has led to my greatest moments of career growth.” — Caroline Cala Donofrio, writer.

15. Be prepared for your definition of success at work to change.

“Be ready for more successes that would look and feel different.” — Vicky Land, senior vice president of brand and communications.

16. Nurture your intuition.

“Nurture your intuition with the same rigor of intellectual pursuits.” — Elise Densborn, Co-CEO of Splendid Spoon.

17. Know respect is more important than prestige.

“Respect is more important than prestige.” — Caroline Cala Donofrio.