We’ve all heard it before: “Take risks, and you’ll be rewarded.” But what does taking risks actually look like when it comes to your career, and how does it differ when you’re in your twenties compared to your thirties? Does the idea of risk change as you get older? And is it really worth it to step outside your comfort zone — especially when your responsibilities start to pile up?
Spoiler alert: the answer is yes. But the type of risks you’re willing to take, the way you approach them, and the impact they have on your career are all pretty different at different stages of life.
Let’s break down how taking risks in your career can look when you’re in your twenties versus thirties, and how doing so can realistically open doors and shift the trajectory of your career path.
Taking Risks in Your Twenties: The Freedom to Explore
Your twenties are often a time of experimentation, change, and figuring out who you really are — not just in terms of your career but in life as a whole. You’ve got the energy, the flexibility, and sometimes a lack of responsibilities that make risk-taking feel a bit less daunting.
What Risks Look Like in Your Twenties:
- Switching Industries: You’re still figuring out what you want to do, and your twenties are the perfect time to explore different career paths. This could mean taking a job in a completely different industry or trying something you’ve always been curious about, like jumping from marketing into tech or trying out freelance work.
- Starting a Side Hustle: Many twenty-somethings get the entrepreneurial bug. Starting a side hustle in your twenties, whether it’s an online shop, a blog, or a small service business, is a relatively low-stakes way to experiment with entrepreneurship and see where it might take you.
- Moving for a Job Opportunity: The idea of relocating to a new city or country for a job can be intimidating at any age, but in your twenties, the stakes are lower. You might not have a mortgage or kids to worry about yet, and you might be more willing to embrace the unknown, whether that’s moving across the country for a cool role or working abroad for a few months.
- Taking on Projects Outside Your Role: Your twenties are the best time to stretch your wings, even if it feels like a stretch at first. Volunteer for that cross-department project, or step into leadership roles (even informally) when opportunities arise.
Why It Works (And Why You Should Do It):
- Flexibility and Lower Stakes: At this stage, if something doesn’t work out, the consequences are usually less severe. You’re likely to have fewer personal and financial responsibilities, and that gives you more room to experiment without the weight of everything on your shoulders.
- Building a Diverse Skill Set: Exploring different industries or roles helps you gain a wide range of skills. In your twenties, it’s not so much about being the “perfect fit” for one specific career but building a diverse toolkit that can open doors down the line.
- Learning from Failures: When things don’t work out, it doesn’t feel as catastrophic in your twenties. You’ll likely learn more from these “failures” than from smooth-sailing situations — and they’ll make you stronger and more resilient in your thirties.
Taking Risks in Your Thirties: More Strategic, But Still Valuable
By the time you hit your thirties, things start to change. You may be feeling the pull of stability — mortgages, families, and longer-term goals start to play a bigger role in your decision-making process. Taking risks now feels a little more calculated, but that doesn’t mean you should stop altogether.
What Risks Look Like in Your Thirties:
- Switching to a Leadership Role: In your twenties, you might be trying out different industries, but by your thirties, you’re probably looking to climb the ladder. Taking a risk in your thirties might mean moving into a leadership or management position even if you don’t have a ton of experience yet. The risk is in betting on your leadership potential.
- Pursuing a Major Career Pivot: While in your twenties, you could easily make small pivots, in your thirties, you may be thinking about switching careers entirely. This can feel like a bigger gamble, especially if you’ve built up experience in one field. But if you’re no longer passionate about where you are, switching to a more fulfilling career could be the best risk you ever take.
- Investing in Education or Certifications: By your thirties, you might be more financially established (or at least have more responsibilities). Investing in education — whether through certifications, a master’s degree, or a specialized course — can be a big risk. But when done thoughtfully, it could also lead to a significant career shift or promotion.
- Starting a Business (Again, More Calculated): If you’re itching to try entrepreneurship, your thirties can be a great time to take the leap — but with more strategic planning. You may have more resources, financial stability, and networks to help you succeed in launching a business that aligns with your values and skills.
Why It Works (And Why It’s Even More Powerful Now):
- Leverage Experience and Networks: By your thirties, you likely have a more developed skill set and a stronger professional network. These assets can make your calculated risks pay off more effectively. You’re not just entering uncharted territory — you’re leveraging your experience to open doors that might have been closed in your twenties.
- More Purpose-Driven: Risks in your thirties are often driven by a desire for greater fulfillment or work-life balance. By now, you’ve probably figured out what’s important to you, and making a career shift or pursuing a higher role can feel more intentional and aligned with your life goals.
- Increased Financial Stability: In your twenties, you may not have had the financial cushion to take big risks. But by your thirties, you might be in a better position to make a strategic leap (whether that’s changing jobs, pursuing higher education, or investing in a business) without the same level of fear.
Realistically Opening Doors: How Risk Pays Off at Every Stage
Whether you’re in your twenties or thirties, taking risks can open doors in different ways. Here’s how:
- Growth Mindset & Expanding Opportunities: Risk-taking encourages you to think outside your comfort zone and push past limitations, which can unlock doors you hadn’t even considered. Every risk — even if it doesn’t pan out — teaches you something that’ll help in future opportunities.
- Developing Your Brand: Whether you’re hustling in your twenties or making strategic moves in your thirties, showing that you’re willing to take risks — whether that means stepping up in a role or shifting your career focus — helps you build a reputation as someone who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo.
- New Networks and Connections: Taking a risk often requires stepping into new environments or roles. This can lead to meeting new people, expanding your professional network, and connecting with individuals who open doors to more opportunities — some of which you might not have expected.
- Creating Your Own Path: The more risks you take, the more you define your own path in life and work. You begin to shape your career on your terms, whether that means pivoting to a new field, taking on leadership responsibilities, or creating something entirely new (like your own business).
Final Thoughts: It’s Never Too Early or Late to Take Risks
In the end, taking risks is about more than just making bold moves — it’s about being willing to push boundaries, challenge your comfort zone, and continuously seek out new ways to grow.
In your twenties, risks might feel like a series of experiments — trying things, learning from failures, and seeing what sticks. In your thirties, risks are often more strategic, but just as important. Whether you’re switching careers, taking on leadership roles, or making an investment in yourself, those calculated risks will ultimately lead to growth, connections, and new opportunities.