My dad told me to always take the safe job offer, but I'm glad I didn't listen

After college, I got two job offers. One was a steady office job in my hometown paying $55,000. The other was a lower-paying role at a small startup in Austin. My dad sat me down and said, 'Take the sure thing. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.' He was worried about my security. I thought about it for a week and took the startup job. It was hard at first, and money was tight for about two years. But I learned so much faster because I had to wear many hats. That experience let me jump to a much better position later. Now I think the 'safe' path can sometimes be the riskier one in the long run. Has anyone else gone against family advice on a big choice and had it work out?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_simon11d ago

Bird in the hand" advice can really clip your wings. Like @taylorshah said, the safe pick often just keeps you in the same cage. Sometimes you gotta let that bird go and chase the whole flock.

michaeld4811d ago

Why do we keep telling people to play it safe?

taylorshah11d ago

That "bird in the hand" advice is so common. My buddy ignored his family and moved for a contract gig with no benefits. It was a grind, but the skills he got there made him a top pick for a major firm a year later. Their safe choice would have kept him stuck.