The Best Advice for Your Son

If you have a college-aged nephew or child, here’s the advice to share: What you study in college isn’t the defining factor. What truly matters is your first job after graduation. That’s the pivot point that shapes your career, and you’d better choose wisely.

Your first job sets two critical coordinates for your future: the industry you’ll enter (like mining or media) and the function you’ll perform (sales, finance, or HR). But it’s more than that. Your first job teaches you how to work—it embeds the methods and behaviors you’ll unconsciously carry throughout your life. The people you meet there become your initial network, and many will play pivotal roles in your future.

That’s why picking your first job isn’t something to take lightly. It’s like the start of a Formula One race—where you begin often determines whether you’re fighting for the lead or stuck at the back.

THE TRAPS TO AVOID

It’s a terrible idea to wait until you’ve got your diploma in hand, then blindly send out resumes and take the first offer that comes—or worse, choose based on a slightly higher salary or a shorter commute. That’s a recipe for mediocrity.

You need to be strategic about the industry you enter. Pick one that’s stagnant, and you’ll be waiting decades for the old guard to retire just to move up a single rung. Worse, if you choose a shrinking industry, you’ll eventually be forced to jump ship to a new sector where you know nothing and no one—essentially resetting your career to square one.

Starting your own business right out of college? Unless you’re a prodigy like Bill Gates, it’s usually a bad move. You don’t need to launch a company at 20—there’s time for that later. Early on, it’s better to learn by messing up with someone else’s money. Instead, meet people, identify real problems to solve, and learn how to execute projects successfully.

Joining the family business to “save” it? That’s another trap. You’re likely taking on a sinking ship before you’ve even started. If the business is failing, there’s probably no one there to learn from and nothing remarkable to gain. If you want to revive the family legacy, do it later, when you’ve got real experience under your belt.

THE REAL STRATEGY FOR STARTING STRONG

Forget the cliché of “following your passion” or chasing dreams. That advice comes from the rare few who’ve already made it big. Instead, focus on what you’re good at and double down to become exceptional. When you’re outstanding at something, it becomes your passion.

Once you know your strengths, find the best people in that field—whether it’s designing video games or crafting financial derivatives. Identify the top players in your country or the world, and start reaching out while you’re still in college. During summers, offer to work for free, even if it’s sweeping floors. Pull every string you can to ensure that, by graduation, they’ve got a seat reserved for you.

Don’t obsess over the starting salary or perks. Being surrounded by the best, learning from them, and having their numbers in your phone? That’s priceless.

WHY IT MATTERS

Your first job isn’t just a job—it’s the foundation of your career. The degree you earn is merely a tool to get you in the door with the best team in the field where you excel. Choose poorly, and you’re playing catch-up for years. Choose wisely, and you’re on the fast track to a career that matters. For more articles like this, subscribe to the Newsletter  Get more ideas in the book How to See What Others Don't