Your Career Ladder Can Be a Jungle Gym

Dear Sophie,

If you ask your teachers for career advice, they might say:
“Find your interest, choose a major, graduate, follow a career path, and climb that ladder.”

But what if you graduate with a degree and realize you don’t want to spend your life doing that job? That would feel terrible.

So, here’s some advice from me:

1. Love what you do, not do what you love.

While studying, work part-time. Odd jobs might not pay much, but they teach you to stick with hard things. Learning to love what you do is more valuable than chasing what you love.

When I was younger, I worked as a swimming coach, lifeguard, librarian, food delivery driver, and used car dealer. Those jobs taught me how to work hard and stay motivated, which has helped me in every part of my career.

2. Your career doesn’t have to be a straight line.

Popular jobs like doctors, lawyers, and engineers have clear paths, but they often come with two problems:

• Limited earnings
• Limited freedom

Steve Jobs once said:

“Everything around you that you call life was made by people no smarter than you. You can change it, influence it, and build your own things.”

In 2017, I founded TAGGUN - a tech start-up, and it’s been the best job ever. I can design my work schedule around you and Mommy, travel when I want, and feel fulfilled creating things that help people. Plus, we’re earning good money.

The good news is, work is evolving, and you’ll have so many options beyond a nine-to-five job:

• Start your own business.
• Be a freelancer or a digital nomad.
• Sell things you create.
• Trade goods or invest.

Your career doesn’t have to follow a straight path. Treat it like a jungle gym— take risks, explore, and focus on creating things that help others.

I hope you’ll love what you do and make a difference, Sophie.

Love,
Dad