If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting their career, what would it be?

Don't start pinging your manager that you need more work

Be a giver. Rather than thinking "what benefit I will get from this company", think "how can I help this company". This will change your whole purpose of working and will inculcate "ownership" in your work. Companies especially startups love people who takw ownership and will reward you with more work where you will get to challenge your limits everyday. You will understand yourself better and will give you confidence when you want to switch in the future. You become the value creator rather than a "extra hand" at the company.

1. One feedback my first mentor gave me when I myself was a fresher: "This isn't college, these are not your college assignments which you could complete at the very last moment and be done with it. This is professional world, what you do here, how you work, is going to make your identity, so start taking accountability of your work."

Cut to a couple years later, now I have ownership of an essential business program.

2. A advice from me - help people out when they come to you, and always be polite about it.

1. Make a habbit of writing stuffs down and documenting everything. Helps later in your career.

2. In case you are a software engineer, make a habbit of writing good code including proper spaces, braces, variable names etc without having to rely on any formatters or changing after raising PRs.

3. Always negotiate for your salary/increments.

4. You need to ask. For projects, For advices, For everything. If you see any cool projects coming up, try asking for that from your manager. Even if you don't get it, a good manager will remember your interests and might assign you next time.

5. Don't get too attached to the company. Just think of it as a professional/transactional relationship. Company won't think twice before firing someone.

6. While some colleagues can be good, not all of them are. Be cautious of what you say to your colleagues. Don't get too chummy with your manager. Your manager is not your friend.

7. INVEST, INVEST, INVEST.

8. DON'T TAKE LOANS UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

Communication is the key , when in doubt , talk it out

Switch as early as possible

Choose the company & package wisely, and don’t be comfortable & stick with one designation and company