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What You'll Learn
In this episode, I’m joined by my co-host Carly Malatskey to share the early-career playbook most people wish they had at 21. Whether you're fresh out of college, navigating your first job, or advising someone who is — this episode is for you.
Key topics
Why your first job should feel like a sprint, not a stroll
How to tell if your job is setting you up — or holding you back
The truth about internships (they matter more than your degree)
How to stand out when applying — and why “spray and pray” fails
Why it’s smart to view your first job as a stepping stone
Red flags and green flags once you’re hired
How to network in a way that doesn’t feel transactional
The mindset shift that separates top performers early in career
Why working in-person still gives you an edge
How to take real risks when you have the least to lose
Key Takeaways
1. Grit and hustle still win — but school doesn’t teach that
Academia rewards following rules. The real world doesn’t. It’s an ambiguous, unstructured free-for-all. The fastest career growth happens when you shed the “what’s the rubric?” mindset. Initiative, not instruction, is what gets you noticed.
2. Internships matter more than your degree
Ask any successful leader — their edge didn’t come from their grades. It came from early exposure to real work. Internships bridge the gap between education and execution, giving you credibility, connections, and career-ready reps long before you graduate.
3. Take real risks early — it gets harder later
The idea that you’ll “take risks later” is a myth. As you age, responsibilities pile up — relationships, kids, mortgages — and risk tolerance shrinks. Your 20s are your best shot at upside-maximizing bets with limited downside. Use them.
4. Seek feedback before you think you need it
Early career plateaus often come from false confidence. Even when you think you’re doing well, ask for feedback. This helps you course-correct, accelerate your learning curve, and build trust with the people who influence your growth.
5. Don’t just “network” — maintain relationships
The people who help you want to know how the story unfolds. Following up, closing loops, and showing them how their advice paid off builds trust. It also keeps doors open long after the favor is done. Transactional asks don’t scale. Relationships do.
6. Pick your boss over the brand
Your manager shapes your growth more than your job title does. A great boss gives you exposure, autonomy, and feedback. A big logo or paycheck won’t teach you anything if you’re invisible inside the company. Bet on people over prestige.
7. Your first job is a stepping stone
You’re not picking your forever job — you’re choosing one that sets you up for success. The best early jobs give you stories to tell, confidence to solve hard problems, and proof you can handle real responsibility. Don’t worry about staying long. Worry about leaving better.
8. Optimize for storytelling, not optics
Every career move should answer one question: “What story will this let me tell in a year?” You want to be able to speak to your success, impact, growth — even your failures.
Where to find Nikhyl:
Where to find Carly:
Find The Skip:
In this episode, we cover:
00:00) Why most grads feel lost — and what to do about it
(01:44) How to navigate the 2025 job market
(03:29) Why hustle still wins
(08:24) What to really look for in your first job
(15:03) Why seeking feedback is a career unlock
(17:30) Choose your boss — not the logo
(20:02) Why taking risks early pays off later
(28:35) How to tell a compelling career story
(32:15) Job hunting that actually works
(37:38) Tips for making the leap from college to career
(42:18) Why you should work while studying
(46:13) How to maintain a network
(55:10) Green flags and red flags once you’re hired
(58:55) Your first job is a launchpad — not a life sentence
(63:12) Final advice we wish we heard at 21
Don't forget to subscribe to The Skip to hear me coach you through timely career lessons. If you’re interested in joining me on a future call, send me a note on LinkedIn, Threads, or Twitter. You can also email me at nikhyl@skip.community
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