How to make career decisions?
Sources:
Here are some insights and advice from various episodes of The Lunar Society podcast with Dwarkesh Patel on making career decisions:
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Working with Live Players:
- Advice: Seek out and work with smart, agentic individuals who align with your ethical vision of the world. Your main goal should be to be as useful as possible to them.
- Why: Working with such "live players" tends to lead to winning outcomes and high compensation.
- Source: 1.
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Pursuing Passion over Balance:
- Advice: In your 20s, focus on going all-in on your pursuits rather than seeking a balanced life. Find what you love and pour your energy into it.
- Why: Early career dedication is crucial for excelling in your field.
- Source: 2.
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Writing Down Plans:
- Advice: Avoid getting stuck in a career rut by writing down your entire plan and challenging your assumptions.
- Why: This helps prevent bias towards the status quo and opens up new opportunities.
- Source: 3.
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Long-Term Ambitions over Short-Term Gains:
- Advice: Focus on long-term ambitions and don't get distracted by short-term financial gains.
- Why: Investing in high-quality projects and building skills will pay off more in the long run.
- Source: 4.
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Mentorship and High Standards:
- Advice: Seek environments where you can learn the highest standards and problem selection from mentors.
- Why: Experience in high-standard environments elevates your work quality and professional growth.
- Source: 5.
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Generic, Long-Lasting Skills:
- Advice: In early life, invest in skills that are generic and long-lasting, such as writing, speaking, and social coordination.
- Why: These skills provide a foundation that can be used across your entire career.
- Source: 6.
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Skills Complementary to Technology:
- Advice: Get education and skills in sectors that complement technology, such as data science, machine learning, and design.
- Why: These skills will be increasingly valuable as the amount of data grows and technology evolves.
- Source: 7.
By incorporating these pieces of advice into your career strategy, you can align your efforts with long-term success and continuous personal growth.
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