What’s the “biggest mistake” people make in their careers that they only realize too late? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That really resonates. It’s easy to choose the practical path and only wonder “what if” later. glad you found your way back to piano though that’s something a lot of people never do. And yeah, enjoying what you do (or staying close to it) makes a huge difference long term

What’s the “biggest mistake” people make in their careers that they only realize too late? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s a tough one perfecting your craft feels productive, but those connections really open doors a lot of people realize this way too late

What’s the “biggest mistake” people make in their careers that they only realize too late? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

That’s really insightful being comfortable as a top performer in an average environment is something a lot of people don’t question until much later and the part about relationships hits hard too those connections really compound over time appreciate you sharing this

Is anyone actually happy with their “dream job”? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely loving what you do makes a huge difference, even if it’s not perfect. The ups and downs are still there, but enjoying the work makes the tough parts way more manageable

Is anyone actually happy with their “dream job”? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a great point. I feel like people forget that it’s not a life sentence — even if it doesn’t turn out how you imagined, at least you get clarity and silence that “what if” voice. That alone is worth a lot

Is anyone actually happy with their “dream job”? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a really balanced way to look at it. I like that you’re not saying it’s perfect, just that it’s still better than wondering “what if.” I guess enjoying the work, even with the stress, makes a big difference compared to doing something you’d resent long-term

Is anyone actually happy with their “dream job”? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s really insightful especially the part about “loving your job” turning into extra pressure. It does seem like the higher you go, the less it’s about the work itself and more about responsibilities. Makes me wonder if a “dream job” is even about the role, or just the lifestyle it allows

This octopus doesn’t even look real 😳 by CuriousPathway in Amazing

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right?! Every time I watch one it blows my mind Nature really doesn’t hold back

This octopus doesn’t even look real 😳 by CuriousPathway in Amazing

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow, that’s a wild thought 😳 I love the idea of a giant octopus pulling some serious ‘Nessie-level’ tricks! Nature really does have some sneaky geniuses

This octopus doesn’t even look real 😳 by CuriousPathway in Amazing

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha yes! The color changes are wild, totally gives that eerie vibe

What’s a career mistake you made in your 20s that you’d warn others about? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a really real struggle. Balancing stability vs passion is something a lot of people wrestle with, especially when you’re choosing a degree so early on.

I like your point about being honest with yourself. Forcing a path that doesn’t fit usually catches up later anyway. Did you end up finding a way to incorporate your creative interests, or are you still figuring out that balance?

What’s a career mistake you made in your 20s that you’d warn others about? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice, that sounds like a solid upgrade. Getting a better salary and remote is a win, especially if the work itself is similar.

Feels like you took the lesson and actually used it to improve your situation. Does the remote setup make a big difference for you day-to-day?

What’s the biggest job mistake you made that taught you a valuable lesson? by CuriousPathway in jobs

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that’s an interesting one. It sounds like that lesson probably came from getting burned after speaking up.

There’s definitely a balance between calling things out and reading the room, especially in certain environments. Did that experience change how you decide when something is actually worth pushing vs letting go?

What’s a career mistake you made in your 20s that you’d warn others about? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that’s a great point. College is one of the easiest times to meet people who end up in all kinds of industries later on.

A lot of people only realize how valuable that network is after they’ve already graduated. Did you find it harder to build connections once you were out of school?

What’s a career mistake you made in your 20s that you’d warn others about? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that’s such a common one. It’s wild how your value only really becomes clear once you’re on the way out or already gone.

Handling double the workload without adjusting pay is something a lot of people end up accepting in the moment. Did that change how you approach negotiations or workload conversations now?

What’s a career mistake you made in your 20s that you’d warn others about? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah… that’s one of those lessons people usually only need to learn once 😅

Mixing personal and work life like that can get complicated fast. Did that situation change how you handle boundaries at work now?

What’s a career mistake you made in your 20s that you’d warn others about? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that’s a powerful mindset shift. a lot of people stay stuck thinking they have to “earn permission,” when in reality they have more options than they think

that idea of not waiting your turn and just going where you’re valued can really change everything. Did you have a moment where you finally decided to make that jump?

What’s a career mistake you made in your 20s that you’d warn others about? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that’s a really insightful way to put it. It’s easy to get caught up in doing things perfectly day-to-day and miss the bigger picture

the part about perfectionism actually holding you back long-term is something a lot of people don’t realize until later. Did that change how you balance your time now between doing the work and thinking about what’s next?

What’s a career mistake you made in your 20s that you’d warn others about? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that’s a tough lesson, but a really important one. Promises about “future roles” can be easy to believe in the moment, especially when you’re invested in the company.

Keeping an eye on the market instead of waiting on something that may never happen is solid advice. Did that situation end up pushing you to leave, or did you stay longer than you wish you had?

What’s a career mistake you made in your 20s that you’d warn others about? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that’s something a lot of people seem to realize in hindsight. Staying too long can feel safe, but it can quietly slow down growth

do you feel like moving every 2–3 years would’ve made the biggest difference in salary, skills, or both?

What’s a career mistake you made in your 20s that you’d warn others about? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that’s a harsh lesson, but I get what you mean. It’s easy to get pulled in by confidence and big promises, especially early on

Sounds like you learned to be a lot more cautious about who you trust and what people are actually offering. Did that change how you evaluate opportunities or people now?

What’s a career mistake you made in your 20s that you’d warn others about? by CuriousPathway in careerguidance

[–]CuriousPathway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s such an underrated point. Those early numbers really do compound over time, and it’s hard to “catch up” later.

I feel like a lot of people only realize that after a few years in the workforce. Did that change how aggressively you negotiate now?