Learning More Trumps Earning More

Early in your career, if you're fortunate and hardworking, you may find yourself choosing between two job opportunities: one that offers 10–20% more pay and another that provides significantly greater learning and growth potential. 

Whenever I’m asked which to choose, my advice is always the same: always pick the opportunity that will teach you more, even if it comes with a slightly lower paycheck.

Why? Because the return on investment (ROI) from continuous learning compounds far more powerfully than a 10–20% salary bump. In my 20s and 30s, I consistently chose roles that stretched me, challenged me, and pushed me to grow—often passing up more lucrative offers. Looking back now, these "financial sacrifices" were actually the smartest investments I ever made.

 I wouldn’t change a thing.

Prioritizing learning over short-term income pays off in ways you can’t always see in the moment. The skills, experiences, and networks you build early on will open doors to far greater opportunities you can’t yet imagine—and set you up for far greater success (and yes, higher earnings) down the road.

My advice? Don’t get distracted by the numbers on your paycheck. Invest in yourself. The smartest financial decision you can make early in your career is choosing the job that makes you better, not just richer.