"Once I get it together, I'll launch my career!"
If you think this way, you're never going have a career.
The truth about careers (and life in general) is you'll never truly have it together. There will always be something not quite right. There will always be something a bit off. Even if you get to your supposed perfect point, you'll re-evaluate it and discover it's not as perfect as you thought.
So you might as well start your career now. Take that class. Read that book. Do that research. Practice Flash animation or whatever. You're never going to have it together enough to start, so wade on it.
"Once I get these things together, my career will be perfect."
If you think this way, you'll be waiting forever.
Careers are evolving, unpredictable beasts. You can set a direction into the future, but you can expect quite a few twists and turns as you head towards where you want to go. Along the way you may decide where you want to go is something differently entirely.
Want to be happy in your career? Start as soon as possible, throw yourself into it, and enjoy the ride. Accept the crazy, chaotic nature of what you'll face. Enjoy the experience of the changes.
There's never a time it'll be all together.
But it can be pretty exciting!
– Steven Savage