A lot of people are overthinking their career before they even get started.

And honestly, that’s one of the biggest reasons they stay stuck.

According to the Bureau of Employment in 2024, only 26% of people stay at the same company for more than 10 years, and only 46% are still at the same job after five years. That means most people are not staying in one role or one company forever.

So if that’s true, why are so many people acting like their very first job has to be their forever job?

Stop Trying to Make the Perfect First Move

This is one of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to break into medical device sales.

They think they have to land the perfect company, perfect division, perfect territory, and perfect role right away. And because of that, they freeze. They wait. They overthink. They talk themselves out of opportunities.

The truth is, you do not need the perfect first job.

You just need the right first step.

The Goal Is to Get In and Build From There

If you want to break into medical device sales, your main goal should be getting in, learning the industry, and building experience.

For most people, that starts as an associate sales rep.

That first role is where you learn how the industry works, learn how to sell, learn how to handle accounts, and learn how to perform. Usually, people stay in that kind of role for one to two years before they either get promoted or move into a better opportunity.

That is how careers are built.

Not by waiting around for the perfect role, but by getting in, proving yourself, and growing from there.

Staying in One Spot Too Long Can Cost You

A lot of people think staying loyal to one company is always the best move. Sometimes it can be. But a lot of times, it is not.

If you know your value, keep getting better, and stay open to opportunities, you can grow your income a lot faster.

That is how a lot of people level up in this industry. They get experience, build confidence, and then use that experience to move into stronger roles with better pay.

The Excuse Most People Hide Behind

A lot of people say they cannot move because of family, comfort, or where they live.

But then if you ask them, “Would you move for a job paying $200,000?” suddenly the answer changes.

That shows it is usually not about the move.

It is about mindset.

Sometimes people are just scared to take the leap. But being open to relocation can completely change your life. You can make more money, build more experience, and create way more opportunities for yourself.

And if you want to move back later, you can.

What This Looks Like in Real Life

There was a 23-year-old from Tennessee who was open to relocating. Because he was willing to make that move, he landed a role in Boston making $170,000.

Now he is young, making great money, building real experience, and setting himself up for the future.

That is what happens when you stay open.

Final Thoughts

The biggest takeaway is simple: challenge the way you think about your career.

Most people try to predict exactly where they will be in five or ten years. But the reality is, you do not know. And statistically, you are unlikely to stay in the same role or company that long anyway.

Instead of focusing on long-term perfection, focus on getting started, learning as much as possible, and staying open to opportunities. That is how you build a successful career and create more options for yourself over time.

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All the best,

Jacob McLaughlin