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> "Career experts generally favor scalable professions."

Says who? In my experience, "career experts" want to make sure their advisees get a decent job. If 90% of people who follow your advice fail at their career, I'm betting you don't stay a "career expert" for very long.




"Career experts" mostly sell books and enthusiasm. Failure ensures repeat business.

Consider how much you can earn as a doctor or lawyer by choosing a lucrative specialty and working to establish yourself in the field -- why does he discount that? Because he's selling a dream, not a career. It's hard to fantasize about going to medical school, doing a residency, and then doing further postgraduate work, especially if you're already out of school. It's easy to fantasize about entrepreneurship.


> It's easy to fantasize about entrepreneurship.

Nail, head.

HN is entrepreneur-porn.


HN is entrepreneur-porn.

Indeed. HN can inform and motivate.

But simply reading HN also satisfies the startup itch a little... and can thus wind up being an ersatz substitute for the real thing. For each person HN encourages, it might also satiate another in place.


> If 90% of people who follow your advice fail at their career, I'm betting you don't stay a "career expert" for very long.

Does the compensation of "career experts" actually depend on the success of folks who they advise?




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