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Ben Halpern
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What advice would you offer your younger self?

Top comments (28)

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omiossec profile image
Olivier Miossec

You have a career and you have a job
If your job don't fuel your career, leave
Learn, always, never stop
don't be arrogant, there is always someone, somewhere better than you
Your boos is not your friend

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rlangvad profile image
Rasmus Langvad

Don’t take things to serious. Have fun, do your best, enjoy the ride!

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Margo McCabe

Took the words right out of my mouth (keyboard)!

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vanwildemeerschbrent profile image
Brent Vanwildemeersch

Take a break from time to time.
Some rest can have a bigger impact than those late nights.

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louislow profile image
Louis Low

I would tell my younger self to socialize more...

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ben profile image
Ben Halpern

Is this something that you have changed as you've grown older or is this something you still want to do more of?

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louislow profile image
Louis Low

I still need to do more... Even my inner self struggles on each attempt, I just don't like to ...talking. I am more like to thinking and doing things.

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isnotajoke profile image
Kevan Carstensen

Learn what market compensation is and consistently ask for it (or, if you don't, have a very good reason for taking a pay cut). Don't leave money on the table. You're worth it. Allowing yourself to be underpaid isn't going to get you brownie points with your employer.

Programming/engineering skills are important but will stop getting you promoted after a while. You need people skills and the ability to relate to non-engineers to be successful at a staff or above level. Fortunately these are teachable and learnable, and you're probably better at them than you think.

Don't sell yourself short and assume that you won't make the cut at prestigious companies.

Take that small step from thinking that Bitcoin was a cool idea back in 2009/2010 or so and actually buy some. 😉

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jmfayard profile image
Jean-Michel 🕵🏻‍♂️ Fayard • Edited
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ssbozy profile image
Sandilya Bhamidipati

There will be a time in the future when you will have a family. That should not stop you from innovating and solving world problems. It might seem overwhelming and sometimes you feel like giving up but don’t. I did not and so should you.

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aghost7 profile image
Jonathan Boudreau

I wouldn't give myself any advice, as the process in which you acquire wisdom is just as important as the wisdom itself.

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andi1984 profile image
Andreas Sander

Career

  1. Never start job interviews without having an idea about salary negotiation
  2. Don't take it too serious.
  3. Try to invest into your career outside of your current job (e.g. side projects)
  4. Invest time into explaining your parents, friends, partner what you're doing at your job. They should broadly understand it.

Life

  1. Don't think twice about opportunities. Take them!
  2. Find hobbies different to what you're doing at your job.
  3. Invest into friendships, spend and enjoy any moment with your friends. Tomorrow everything can be different.
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tominekan profile image
Tomi Adenekan
  1. You are you, don't compare yourself to others.
  2. Don't follow the trending, learn the basics.
  3. Do projects, even if you don't feel you can complete it (the whole point is that you do it)
  4. Ask Questions