I always refer to this paper when I think about advising graduates: https://blog.pragmaticengineer.com/software-engineering-salaries-in-the-netherlands-and-euro

I always refer to this paper when I think about advising graduates: https://blog.pragmaticengineer.com/software-engineering-salaries-in-the-netherlands-and-europe/ https://blog.pragmaticengineer.com/software-engineering-sala... There are different problems in different orgs with different value adds. You can be super busy firefighting for a company that doesn't value your work or calm, well-paid but unchallenged in another. Also the same general pattern of learn -> earn -> own applies in tech. Learn your trade, milk it for a number of years to setup your life, own your own consultancy/company.