Early stage professionals are navigating a fast-changing job market where skills, exposure, and connections matter more than ever. To understand what truly drives career growth in the real world, The Crazy Careers conducted a quick “Hot Take – Week 2” poll asking one simple but powerful question: “What’s been the biggest game-changer in your career growth so far?” The results were clear and incredibly insightful.
Poll Results: What Helps Early Professionals Grow the Most?
Here’s what the community voted for:
- Learning on the job (real work experience) – 50%
- A supportive manager/mentor – 25%
- Networking + connections – 25%
- Upskilling courses & certifications – 0%
This poll highlights one important truth: career growth is still driven by real work exposure, strong mentorship, and meaningful networks.
1) Learning on the Job (Real Work Experience) Leads with 50%
The majority of early professionals voted for learning on the job as the biggest career growth driver.
Why real work experience matters the most
In the first few years of your career, your biggest learning often comes from:
- Real deadlines and real responsibility
- Solving problems under pressure
- Handling stakeholders and feedback
- Working in teams and navigating workplace dynamics
- Understanding how businesses actually function
Unlike theory-based learning, on-the-job learning builds: confidence, decision-making skills, practical knowledge and workplace maturity.
2) Mentorship & Supportive Managers: 25% Say Guidance Accelerates Growth
A strong manager or mentor can change your entire career trajectory—and the poll results prove it.
How mentorship impacts early career success
A good mentor helps you:
- Avoid common mistakes
- Build clarity on your strengths
- Improve communication and professional behavior
- Learn how to grow faster with the right feedback
- Gain confidence in decision-making
Many professionals don’t quit jobs – they quit poor management. That’s why mentorship is becoming one of the most valued growth factors for young professionals today.
3) Networking & Connections: 25% Believe Relationships Create Opportunities
Networking isn’t about collecting contacts – it’s about building trust and visibility.
Early professionals who voted for networking + connections understand something crucial:
Why networking boosts career growth
Networking helps you:
- Get referrals and job leads
- Discover new industries and roles
- Learn from peers and seniors
- Build a personal brand early
- Find mentors and collaborators
In a competitive market, opportunities often come from: who knows your work, who trusts your potential and who remembers you at the right time.
4) Upskilling Courses & Certifications Got 0% – What Does That Mean?
This result may surprise many, especially in a world full of online courses.
But here’s the key insight: It doesn’t mean upskilling isn’t valuable. It means upskilling alone isn’t enough.
Why certifications didn’t win this time
Many early professionals feel that:
- Courses don’t always translate into real work output
- Certifications look good, but experience builds credibility
- Hiring managers prioritize proof of skills over course completion
- Learning becomes meaningful when applied on the job
Upskilling works best when paired with: internships, projects, real deliverables and measurable outcomes.
The Big Takeaway: Experience + Mentorship + Network = Career Growth
Based on The Crazy Careers poll results, early professionals are clearly saying:
- Real work experience is the biggest career accelerator
- Mentorship builds direction and confidence
- Networking opens doors faster than you expect
And while upskilling is important, it must lead to real-world impact to truly matter.
What Early Professionals Can Do Next (Action Steps)
If you’re in your first job or early career phase, here are some practical steps:
- Prioritize learning by doing: Volunteer for tasks, take ownership, and build a portfolio of outcomes.
- Find a mentor (inside or outside your workplace): A mentor can help you avoid confusion and grow with clarity.
- Build your network intentionally: Connect with people who inspire you and learn from them consistently.
- Upskill only when it supports your current goals: Choose courses that directly improve your performance and output.
The Crazy Careers Weekly Poll | Participate Now
The Crazy Careers is India’s platform for career and education conversations that actually matter. Through the Hot Take series, we run weekly polls to understand what students and professionals truly think about learning, growth, and success in the real world. Want to be part of our next poll? Follow The Crazy Careers and stay tuned!