A bit tangential to the point, but still: get out, wherever you live. If you have the ability (which may be non-trivial), moving country is of a huge benefit. E

A bit tangential to the point, but still: get out, wherever you live. If you have the ability (which may be non-trivial), moving country is of a huge benefit. Even if you love the place you live in, you just don't have a comparison if you haven't lived (i.e. had local friends and jobs and dealt with day to day stuff for a couple of years) somewhere else. And just the experience both makes you more interesting and helps you get the experience that makes you better at many higher-paid jobs. Also, having friends around the world can be invaluable if/once you have to get out.