Advice. 3 notes.

This is true wisdom from William Blake.

Post type: Loose reflection. Certainty: Reasonably sure. I get a lot of messages on LinkedIn from young students and graduates. They’ll share a templated note, attach a resume, and ask for a job. When I tell them we’re not hiring, they pivot: “Can you give me some advice then?” And every time, I freeze up. Because I…

I’m fascinated with “advice” and what counts as good or bad advice. Alex Imas said something interesting and I think I agree:

This thread by Simon is spot on. Most advice is dumb—it’s too general to be useful—and I always tell my students I have no advice to give unless it’s very specific (eg run this analysis).
But “live over your skis” is good advice.

It means aim for more than what you think you can achieve.

The quoted tweet from Simon:

Going through my mental Rolodex from 25 years of academia. The people who do great things were ridiculous tryhards, particularly early on.
Reaching further than they had a right to. As if something in their souls knew. If lucky, tutors and friends indulged this ultra cringe.