Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has offered a refreshingly grounded piece of career advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and Gen Z professionals: “Go work at McDonald’s.” Speaking at the 2025 New York Times DealBook Summit and Italian Tech Week, Bezos emphasized the importance of early work experience in fast-paced, customer-facing environments, arguing that such roles instill foundational skills essential for long-term success.
“You learn responsibility. You learn how to show up. You learn how to deal with people. You learn how to hustle,” Bezos said, adding that entry-level jobs like those at McDonald’s teach discipline, resilience, and adaptability—traits often overlooked in the rush to launch startups or chase digital fame.
🧠 Bezos’ Career Advice: Why McDonald’s?
Bezos believes that working at McDonald’s or similar service-sector jobs offers young people a crash course in real-world dynamics. From managing time and handling pressure to interacting with diverse customers and working in teams, these experiences build a strong foundation for future leadership.
📊 Bezos’ Advice vs Startup Culture
| Career Path | Bezos’ Recommendation | Startup Culture Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Job | McDonald’s or best-practices firm | Skip to founder or influencer |
| Age to Start Business | Late 20s to 30s | Early 20s or teens |
| Key Skills to Learn | Hiring, interviewing, discipline | Branding, monetization, virality |
| Success Metric | Wealth created for others | Personal net worth, followers |
Bezos also cautioned against the glamorization of instant success via platforms like TikTok and YouTube, noting that grit and consistency still matter more than viral fame.
🏢 Bezos’ Own Journey: From Code Debugger to Billionaire
Before launching Amazon at age 30, Bezos spent nearly a decade working in finance and tech:
- Fitel: Debugging code at a telecom startup
- Banker’s Trust: Product manager
- D.E. Shaw: Vice president at a hedge fund using mathematical modeling
These roles helped him understand market dynamics, hiring practices, and operational discipline—skills he later applied to build Amazon into a $2.3 trillion company.
📈 Bezos’ Success Philosophy
| Principle | Bezos’ Viewpoint |
|---|---|
| Compensation Ethics | Refused stock grants and bonuses at Amazon |
| Wealth Creation Metric | Focus on wealth created for others |
| Entrepreneurial Timing | Experience first, startup later |
| Career Building Blocks | Real-world jobs > theoretical knowledge |
Bezos famously asked Amazon’s board not to offer him additional compensation, stating, “I already owned a significant amount of the company, and I just didn’t feel good about taking more.”
🧾 Bezos’ Broader Advice to Gen Z
- Don’t rush into entrepreneurship: Learn how the world works first
- Work at best-practices companies: Absorb hiring, interviewing, and operational skills
- Delay gratification: Build experience before chasing unicorns
- Measure success differently: Focus on impact, not just personal wealth
🧭 Industry Reactions and Cultural Impact
Bezos’ comments have sparked debate across business circles, with many praising his emphasis on foundational skills. Career coaches and HR leaders echoed his sentiment, urging young professionals to embrace entry-level roles as stepping stones rather than setbacks.
Disclaimer
This news content is based on verified public statements, summit interviews, and media reports as of October 10, 2025. It is intended for editorial use and public awareness. The information does not constitute career advice or endorsement and adheres to ethical journalism standards.
