Hi there, it’s Jill!

Have you ever felt confused or overwhelmed about your future just after finishing school? Were you going with the flow but trying to make sense of it all along the way?

If so—you're not alone. I’ve been there too.

Since graduating nearly a decade ago, the world has changed rapidly: a global pandemic, massive layoffs in Big Tech, the rise of AI, and entire industries reshaped in real time.

Even my own career has taken four sharp pivots—my current role looks almost nothing like what I studied in school.

If I could give my 23-year-old self a few pieces of honest career advice, they’d be the following. I hope they help you find clarity, confidence and a little peace as you navigate the early chapters of your career.

Here’s the first and most important lesson I’ve learned:
No one has it all figured out when they start.

If you’re unsure about what the best job is for you, whether you should pursue more certifications, or if your current role aligns with your long-term goals—that’s completely normal.

When you see friends getting promoted and wonder if you’re falling behind, that’s also normal. You’re not behind. You’re just exploring, and curiosity is one of the greatest predictors of long-term success.

The truth is, your first full-time job often feels like it “should” be the start of your entire career path. But just because something is available or familiar doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Sometimes, it only means it’s comfortable.

Early in your career, you’re in the sampling phase. You’re figuring out what energizes you, what frustrates you, and what matters most.

So explore broadly. Learn deeply. Try new things—both in work and in life—before other responsibilities (family, mortgage, etc.) narrow your flexibility.

If you’re lucky enough to love what you do and be good at it early on—congratulations! You’re part of the 5% who find their groove quickly.

But for the rest of us, here’s my advice:
Even if you don’t love the job, give it your full effort.

Why? Because growth comes from engagement. Even in roles that aren’t your dream job, putting your heart into the work builds your judgment muscle.

Think of your effort like a set of sensors: by immersing yourself fully, you develop a deeper understanding of what energizes you, what drains you, and where your natural strengths lie.

Later on, when career decisions carry more weight, this self-awareness becomes your superpower. It helps you avoid missteps and choose aligned opportunities—because you’ve built the internal compass to guide your way.

In short: No experience is wasted if it teaches you something about yourself.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, something just doesn’t fit:

It doesn’t align with your passions; doesn’t let you play to your strengths; doesn’t support your growth.

When that happens, pivot. This is where the ability to network strategically becomes crucial.

Networking isn’t just about finding job openings—it’s about collecting information, identifying opportunities, and building relationships with people who might open the next door.

If you’re thinking about your next move, I recommend these articles to help you get started:

When you zoom out, you’ll see how all three of these lessons work in a beautiful feedback loop:

✅ You explore early in your career with openness.

✅ You immerse yourself fully to gather insights.

✅ You pivot with purpose when clarity arrives.

And over time, you’ll begin to build a life and career that’s aligned—not just impressive on paper, but meaningful to you.

If I could sum it all up in one sentence, it would be:
Know yourself. Do it with intention. Give it time.

There’s no perfect playbook, and career paths are rarely linear. You will have moments where you feel ahead—and moments where you feel behind. That’s all part of the process.

But if you stay curious, put your heart into what you do, and allow yourself the freedom to evolve—then you’re not behind at all. You’re becoming.

Cheers to your journey.

— Jill

Founder of Anchor Growth Newsletter

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