"Things I Wish I Knew About Career Planning in My 20s"

When I look back at my 20s, I see a decade full of energy, exploration, and uncertainty. It was a time when career choices felt both overwhelming and permanent, when LinkedIn bios seemed more like resumes of people who “had it all figured out.”


Spoiler alert: very few do.


Now, with a bit more perspective, here are some key lessons I wish someone had told me about career planning in my 20s — lessons that could have saved time, reduced anxiety, and helped me build a more intentional path forward.

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1. Your First Job Won’t Define Your Entire Career​

At 22, I thought my first job title would shape everything after it. Truth is, most people change industries, roles, and even entire career paths multiple times. Your first job is a learning experience — not a lifelong sentence. Focus on gaining skills, building relationships, and figuring out what you don’t want as much as what you do.

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2. Skills Matter More Than Job Titles​

It’s easy to chase shiny titles, but the market values what you can do — not what your business card says. Prioritize learning transferable skills: writing, problem-solving, communication, project management, and digital literacy. These compound over time and open up far more doors than any specific title.

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3. Don’t Obsess Over a 10-Year Plan​

It’s good to have direction, but the world (and your interests) change quickly. Instead of rigid long-term plans, think in 1- to 2-year sprints. Ask yourself:

• What do I want to learn next?
• What problems do I want to solve?
• Where do I want to grow?

Then adjust as life and opportunities evolve.

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4. Networking Isn’t Sleazy — It’s Strategic​

In your 20s, networking often feels like forced small talk. But the best career moves often come from weak ties and conversations that aren’t about getting something, but about learning and connecting. People are more generous than you think — especially if you’re curious and respectful.

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5. Invest in Yourself Before You Think You're "Ready"​

Courses, certifications, conferences — they feel expensive when you’re early in your career. But the ROI can be huge. Don’t wait for permission or the “perfect moment.” Upskilling is a form of career insurance.

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6. It’s Okay to Outgrow a Job (or Industry)​

Staying in a role too long out of comfort or loyalty can quietly stall your growth. If you're no longer learning, your values have shifted, or you feel stagnant, it's okay to move on. Growth often means discomfort.

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7. Money Matters — But It’s Not the Only Thing​

In your 20s, financial independence is a major goal. That’s valid. But choosing a job only for the paycheck can burn you out fast. Balance compensation with learning potential, work-life balance, and alignment with your long-term goals.

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8. Rejection Is Redirection​

Rejection stings — whether it's a failed interview or a promotion you didn’t get. But each "no" usually points you toward something better. Learn to take feedback, adapt, and move forward. Every successful person has a string of rejections behind them.

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9. Your Career Is Yours — Not Your Parents’, Not Society’s​

There’s a lot of pressure to pursue "safe" or prestigious paths. But only you have to live with your choices. Don’t let expectations dictate your career. Tune into what excites, energizes, and challenges you — not just what looks good on paper.

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10. Be Kind to Yourself — You’re Learning​

You will make mistakes. You will question yourself. You might even feel lost. That’s not failure — it’s growth. Your 20s are for exploring, building a foundation, and learning who you are in the world of work. Give yourself grace.

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Final Thoughts​

Career planning in your 20s is less about having a perfectly paved path and more about staying curious, intentional, and adaptable. Don’t rush. Don’t compare. And don’t forget — it’s not just a career you’re building, it’s a life.

 

[Priyani Gupta]

Your article is a heartfelt and insightful reflection on navigating a professional journey in one’s twenties, and for that, I want to first express my appreciation. You’ve crafted a message that is equal parts comforting, educational, and actionable—something that’s rare in the sea of career advice.


That said, I want to offer a logical and slightly critical, yet respectful, perspective.


First, your assertion that the first job doesn’t define one’s career is an important one. However, let’s not underplay how formative the early years are. While it's true that people change careers, the skills, networks, and even reputational capital we begin to build with our first job can significantly influence the direction we take—intentionally or otherwise. So yes, don’t obsess over the “perfect” first job, but do approach it with seriousness and commitment.


Your emphasis on skills over titles is refreshingly practical. In today’s skill-based economy, especially with the rise of AI and project-based work, what one can do often trumps what one is called. However, I’d add a caveat: job titles still hold gatekeeping power in many traditional industries (law, medicine, academia), and young professionals should be aware of when titles matter and when they don’t. It’s a nuanced balance.


Regarding 10-year plans, I agree that flexibility is essential. Still, it’s important not to completely abandon long-term thinking. While short sprints make sense in a volatile job market, having a rough sense of a 10-year vision can act as a compass—even if the path swerves. The danger of no long-term planning is drifting from job to job without a cohesive sense of purpose.


Networking, as you rightly note, is often mischaracterized. However, let’s be honest—networking is still a game of optics and opportunity, and it often favors extroverts or those with social capital. The idealistic notion of “genuine conversations” is beautiful, but the reality is that access to quality networks is still unequal. More focus should perhaps be put on democratizing networking opportunities for those outside major urban or elite academic environments.


Your point about investing in oneself before feeling ready is well taken, and I appreciate how you frame upskilling as “career insurance.” This is where many young professionals hesitate due to financial constraints, and your advice rightly challenges that fear. That said, some balance is needed—blindly pouring money into courses without a clear ROI can also become a trap.


On rejection and outgrowing roles, your insights are thoughtful. But I’d argue that the current hustle culture often romanticizes quitting too easily. There's value in persistence and depth; not every moment of stagnation is a sign to jump ship. Sometimes, growth hides in plateaus.


Finally, your reminder that our careers belong to us, not our parents or LinkedIn connections, is both empowering and rebellious. We need more of this energy. And yes, being kind to oneself is perhaps the most underrated professional skill.


In short, your article balances wisdom with empathy, but sprinkling in some harder truths and acknowledging systemic realities would make your message even more robust.