Piers at PSFK has waded into a friendly debate over advice to recent job seekers. His advice(found here) is dead on. Young people need to think of themselves as entrepreneurs not employees. While not everyone is going to rush out and be their own boss, they should have that attitude when they enter the workforce.

I might add to his advice that they should go work for small companies where they can be involved in everything for the first few years of their career. While there, they should constantly stretch themselves and ask for more. More responsibility, more and different tasks, more autonomy, etc. A young person who pours their brains and hearts into their work early on will take more from the experience than someone who goes to a big company seeking experience.

The analogy I’d make is that your first job or two are akin to a liberal arts education. Don’t go to only pick up tangible skills and a job title/career. Go to immerse yourself and learn as much as you can. Go broad and deep. It will make you much more well-rounded and competitive by the time you hit 30. Plus you might find yourself doing something you like instead of repeating a work-skill daily until retirement or downsizing.

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