A recent Washington Post article by Brigid Schulte tells the story of Quint Gribbin, a 25-year-old whose entrepreneurial mindset helped him find job opportunities in a gloomy economic environment.

After graduating from William and Mary with a physics degree, a job offer he had received from a defense contracting firm was rescinded because of a budget shortfall. So, in the months and years that followed, Gribbin worked as an intern in a physics lab, at a skating rink, for a political campaign, and even had a short stint as a technician in the fracking industry. He saved up a bit of money and decided to wait for what he considered to be a more fulfilling job.

While crashing at a friend’s house for an extended period, he brushed up on his statistics skills, read a few novels, took a physics course, and searched the Internet for job and career openings. He discovered and became interested in the field of data analytics, and thanks to a friend’s connection, was hired as an intern by a start-up firm in Baltimore. That internship led to a full-time gig.

Like many other millennials, Gribbin’s parents and high school counselors had told him to “follow his passion.” But they also encouraged him to be “mobile” and recognize that he is “easily replaceable.” Rather than feel entitled because he had a physics degree from a top university, Gribbin worked at unsatisfying jobs, increased his human capital, and expanded his network. He showed initiative and took risks in a volatile labor market.

Gribbin believes that his willingness to embrace change and be flexible in terms of his career choices is an asset, and something that is more valuable in this rapidly changing economy than job security or home ownership or an investment portfolio. “Success is being able to help the people around you more than you need help from them,” says Gribbin.

That’s pretty good advice for unemployed and underemployed workers with college degrees, big expectations, and lofty passions.

Read the full article here.