The Biggest Mistakes Recent Grads Make When Choosing a Career

A friend recently told me about her daughter—fresh out of college with a marketing degree, working retail. The job was fine. The people were nice. She felt comfortable.

But when her mom asked if she enjoyed it, the answer was telling: "It's ok."

Ok. Not happy. Not excited. Not growing. Just... comfortable.

And that comfort? It's the most expensive mistake a recent grad can make.

The Comfort Trap

This pattern occurs all the time with recent graduates. They land in a job that feels safe—familiar faces, predictable routines, no real risk of failure. It's not what they studied for, but it pays the bills. It's not their dream, but it's not terrible either.

So they stay. And stay. And before they know it, they've spent two years in a role that was never supposed to be more than a placeholder.

Here's what most recent grads don't realize: your first job out of college sets a trajectory that stays with you for years.

Research backs this up. An analysis by Goldman Sachs found that while college graduates still have lower unemployment rates than their non-degree counterparts, the advantage is smaller than it has been in decades and continuing to shrink. Translation? The degree alone isn't enough anymore.

More importantly, studies show that the quality and type of a graduate's first job can lock in an earnings gap—and a career trajectory—that persists for years. Your first move matters more than you think.

Why Comfort Feels Safe (But Isn't)

I get it. The professional world feels intimidating after graduation. Everyone else seems to have it figured out. Imposter syndrome whispers that you're not ready. The thought of applying, interviewing, possibly failing—it's easier to stay where you are.

But here's the hard truth: comfort in your twenties is a liability, not an asset.

I learned this the hard way. Early in my career, I had the chance to move into an exciting and cutting edge role - a new program that would have allowed me to excel. I made the mistake of choosing comfort over something new, even when I knew I had outgrown it. The cost? Time I'll never get back and opportunities I missed while I played it safe.

A few years later I had another opportunity come up, a supervisory role—more responsibility, longer hours, and here's the kicker: no additional pay. I almost turned it down. Why take on more for the same money?

But I took it anyway, because I loved the idea of leading people and growing in ways that mattered to me. That decision changed everything. It wasn't about the paycheck. It was about the person I'd become by choosing growth over ease. And it changed my mindset forever and why I am passionate about the work I am doing now.

The Real Risk

When you choose comfort over growth in your twenties, you're not just delaying your career. You're compounding the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Skills atrophy. Confidence erodes. Months turn into years. And the longer you stay, the harder it becomes to make the leap.

Your twenties are not the time to play it safe. They're the time to take risks, build skills, learn from failure, and discover what you're capable of. Sometimes you will take a step backward, but for that ever-important two steps forward.

The Question You Need to Ask

If you're in a job right now because it feels safe—not because it's moving you toward something—ask yourself this:

"What would I do if I wasn't afraid?"

Not "What's the safest choice?" Not "What will disappoint the fewest people?" But what would you do if fear or comfort weren't sitting in the driver's seat?

Because here's the reality: staying stuck is scarier than making the leap. You just don't feel it yet.

Where are you choosing comfort over growth right now? And what is it costing you?

Here's what to do next: Write down the job you'd pursue if fear wasn't a factor. Then ask yourself: what's one step I can take this week toward that?

Send me a note and let me know what's keeping you stuck—I'd love to hear what resonates, and your answer might inspire the next post. I read every response.