What is the most valuable career advice when turning 18 years old?

What career advice would you give to your children when they turn 18 years old? 

This is a question that sparked a lively discussion and engaged hundreds of participants in a survey published on LinkedIn. The survey contains four short but substantive pieces of advice and provokes not only voting but also reflection.

 

Survey results show:

• Develop a network – 51%
• Money is not everything – 27%
• Always be honest with everyone – 18%
• A word spoken is a stone thrown – 3%

 

The undisputed winner with over half of all votes is the advice “Develop a network”. This result clearly shows that experienced people realize how important social and professional connectivity is from an early age. Contacts often turn out to be a catalyst for opportunities, advice, mentorship, and access to information that is not easily found online.

In second place is “Money is not everything” – advice that reminds young people that financial success is not the only or most important marker of satisfaction and fulfillment. This choice speaks to a change in the value system – an awareness that a career should also bring meaning, not just income.

The third most supported advice – “Always be honest with everyone” – emphasizes the importance of personal ethics and reputation in the professional world. Integrity remains a stable foundation upon which trust and sustainable relationships are built.

Last place goes to “A word spoken is a stone thrown” – perhaps because it sounds more abstract or morally instructive for the new generation. But at the same time, it reminds us of the responsibility towards words and promises – a topic that should not be underestimated.

 

What conclusions can we draw:

The survey reveals an interesting point: in a world of technological skills and digital independence, interpersonal relationships remain the most valuable resource. The advice “Develop a network” does not just mean knowing people – it means building authentic, mutually beneficial, and sustained relationships over time.

Young people entering the world of careers will be in a better position if they understand the value of a network of contacts even before their first CV. Combined with personal integrity and a balanced attitude towards money, this advice provides a solid foundation for long-term professional development.