You already have everything you need to make the impact you want to make.
Degrees, occupations, the house you live in, the car you drive, and where your clothes come from are merely status symbols that people lazily use to equate intelligence, value, and trustworthiness — don’t let yourself ever believe they are any more than that.
Relatedly, status symbols are everywhere. Figure out the ones that matter to you and ignore the others.
Experience is overrated. Discount it. Always.
Embrace tension. Seek to be uncomfortable.
The economy, industries, and companies are all systems. Understand how the systems work and what you can influence to maximize outcomes.
These systems are comprised of people who are more emotional than rational, which has a massive impact on the outcomes these systems produce.
Therefore, people matter most. Meet them where they are. Assume they have good intentions. Your ability to connect with and influence them is the greatest leverage you have.
While it’s important to find work that challenges you and gives you meaning, remember that none of this shit really matters. Family and friends are the most important parts of life.
Enjoy the journey — and when it gets hard, remember points #1 and #9.