Warren Buffett's Unconventional Career Advice: 'Don't Save Your Passion For Later, It's Like Saving Up Sex For Your Old Age'

In a speech at the University of Georgia, billionaire Warren Buffett once gave a piece of unconventional career advice. He compared the strategy of building a perfect resume to “saving up sex for your old age.”

What Happened: Over two decades ago, Buffett responded to a student’s query about their post-graduation employment. He discouraged the idea of accepting jobs solely for their resume value or slightly higher starting pay. Instead, he recommended finding work with a person or organization one admires.

According to Inc.com, Buffett shared a story about an Ivy League graduate who chose to work for a major management consulting firm, focusing on enhancing his resume rather than following his true passion, hoping to pursue his ideal career later.

Buffett told the students that he asked the Ivy Leaguer, "Is that what you want to do?" And the Ivy Leaguer replied, "No, that's the perfect resume." Buffett replied, "When are you going to start doing what you like?" to which the Ivy Leaguer said, "Well, I'll get to that someday." 

According to Buffett, this approach was similar to “saving up sex for your old age,” a metaphor highlighting the mistake of delaying what one truly wants.

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"Well. you know, your plan sounds to me a lot like saving up sex for your old age. It just doesn't make a lot of sense," he told the students.

Buffett’s advice is still pertinent today for professionals who are unhappy in their jobs, believing these roles will eventually lead to their dream job. He proposes two steps to attain career satisfaction: work for someone you admire and find work that you love.

Why It Matters: Buffett’s advice underscores the importance of passion and admiration in one’s career. It challenges the conventional wisdom of prioritizing resume-building over personal fulfillment. This perspective is particularly relevant in today’s job market, where job satisfaction and personal fulfillment are increasingly valued.

Buffett’s metaphor serves as a reminder that delaying gratification in one’s career can lead to dissatisfaction and regret.

His advice encourages individuals to pursue their passions and work for individuals or institutions they admire, rather than settling for jobs they don’t enjoy for the sake of a resume.

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