Warren Buffett Urges Young Professionals to Prioritize Mentorship over Salary

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett advised early-career workers to focus less on salary and more on choosing the right people to work with, during the company’s annual shareholder meeting on May 3.

Buffett, who announced he will step down as CEO at the end of 2025 while remaining chairman, reflected on lessons from his career, emphasizing the value of strong mentorship and professional environments.

Two women working together | Source: Pexels

“Who you associate with is enormously important,” he told attendees, adding that their lives' progression would be highly influenced by their co-workers and people they admire, especially if they eventually become their friends.

He cautioned young people not to overly focus on compensation when starting out. “Don’t worry too much about starting salaries and be very careful who you work for because you will take on the habits of the people around you,” he said.

Buffett also highlighted the importance of enjoying one’s work and surrounding oneself with individuals who are both admirable and inspiring. “If you find people that are wonderful to work with, that’s the place to go,” he said, adding, “I’ve had five bosses in life and I liked every one of them.”

Two colleagues working together | Source: Pexels

While encouraging young professionals to aim high, Buffett also warned against risky shortcuts to wealth. “If very stupid things are happening around you, you do not want to participate,” he said. This includes chasing speculative investments or relying on debt to generate returns.