Are you ready to start working in the high-paying industry of your dreams? That’s great, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that money is the most important aspect. You could quickly burn out and start to dislike your job if you are only focused on the financial aspect. Instead, focus on gaining the experience necessary to further your career.

Experience will help you learn new skills and grow as a professional. It will also help you find better jobs in the future. High-paying positions will come eventually, but it’s more important to focus on getting the most out of your career right now. If you’re starting, don’t exclusively focus on the money. Instead, concentrate on getting your foot in the door and gaining value by learning the industry and the skills you’ll need to know to grow and expand. You’ll be glad you did.

Enjoy the Experience

Many people choose their careers based on their salary goals. They think they will get by with working in whatever job, and as long as they make the money that they’d like to have, that’s all that matters. This mindset, however, does not lead to a fulfilling nor a successful career. The key is to focus on gaining experience rather than simply looking for jobs with the highest salary. Once you have some time under your belt, you can advance in your career and make more money as you move up the ladder. Take a look at some current available job postings. You will see that most employers require many types of experience. Therefore, having the knowledge and know-how is great for you and your financial future because the more experiences you have and the more challenges you face, the more capable, skilled, and confident you will become. This is what employers are truly looking for.

What’s Your Value

What are you worth? How replaceable are you? Are you a thought leader who is respected in your field? If these questions make you feel uneasy about your job or career, then chances are you’ve been missing opportunities to gain experience and build your value. Your true value is not based on how much you make a year, but on the skills you have gained through your experiences.

Taking Chances

You have opportunities every day to learn new skills, enhance existing ones, or uncover your faults. Maybe you have an offer to move from the sales department to the marketing department. Sure, you feel more comfortable in sales and don’t really understand marketing, but this experience builds your value, expertise, and can significantly increase your skill set. Maybe you have an offer to work directly for the CEO of a highly successful company, the only downside being that your pay decreases by 20 percent. The lessons to be learned and the opportunities to be seized by such an offer will significantly outweigh the slight salary decrease. The critical thing to remember is that you have to have the desire to learn, better yourself, and to take chances. All the opportunities for new skills mean nothing if you do not embrace them and learn from your experiences.

In conclusion, don’t choose your career based on salary. Focus on gaining the experience and building your value in an industry that you feel aligned with. As you do, you will be able to command a higher salary, build more confidence and purpose, and be more successful all around. Work toward experience, not money. It’s a much better investment in your future!

Atlantic Coast Business Advisors works with clients to facilitate the sale of their business and assist investors and entrepreneurs in acquiring their next business venture.