Focus on skills, not salary in your 20s – McDan advises youth

 The Chief Executive Officer of the McDan Group, Daniel McKorley alias McDan, has urged young people to prioritise skills development over the pursuit of high salaries in their early career years, warning that a fixation on money too soon could leave them "stuck early."

The Ghanaian entrepreneur encouraged young people, especially those in their twenties, to embrace obstacles and prioritize long-term development over immediate financial gain in a Facebook post.

“If you’re in your 20s, I’m going to tell you an uncomfortable truth: chasing salary instead of skills is how people get stuck early,” McKorley wrote.

"Yes, I understand that when there's no money, it feels like you have no choice but to chase after whatever amount you can get at the expense of learning because you have bills to pay," he said, acknowledging the financial strains that many young people experience. I really do get that. However, don't let that confine you.

McKorley, who has established a multi-sector empire in agribusiness, aviation, and logistics, encouraged young professionals to "stretch themselves" in their twenties by accepting positions that push them to go outside of their comfort zones and challenge their conventional wisdom.

Accept roles that present challenges. Collaborate with others who challenge your thinking. Make yourselves uncomfortable. Learn how to think strategically, lead others, and solve actual problems," he stated.

He promised that after gaining strong talents, financial incentives would follow. "If your skills are strong, the money will come, and it will come bigger when it does," he continued.

Emphasising the long-term benefits of continuous learning and experience, McDan described skills as a form of equity. “Skills compound. They open doors, build confidence, and increase your long-term value. Build skill equity now. It pays dividends for the rest of your life.”