Today I drove about 300 miles into a white abyss, only being able to see one quarter mile ahead of me at a time.  Though it was unsavory driving conditions, it provided a revelation of sorts for me.   It is like entering the real world, you may have an idea of where you end destination is, but getting there hasn't been planned out perfectly; it is foggy.  There are two paths you can take, the highway or the gravel road.  The highway is safer, the roads are wider and there is less cross traffic.  It has road indicators that aren't present on gravel roads.  The stripes on the inside of the road can be a major indicator of the road orientation.  There are also more stops (gas stations, fast food, rest stops) but it isn't as elite.  Anyone can the highway; it takes a certain type of person to master the gravel road.  The gravel road has no center strip, it has no guaranteed security of a gas station at every exit, or visible and safe cross roads.  People who take the gravel road can be seen as mavericks, leaders who pave their own way.  Unskilled folks who chose to pursue the gravel road don't just risk getting lost, they might hit a low point and flip their vehicle, they might breakdown and not see another vehicle for another hour, and when there is bad weather, well if you aren't use to the conditions, well you're just plane old screwed. 

So why, when you're just out of college and the path is foggy,  is it really worth taking the gravel road, so that someday down the road you may receive praise because you overcame that adversity of taking the gravel road, or is it wiser to take the highway until the weather clears up, and then jump on the gravel road, safer, with more assets, and pass the hoosier who started off on the gravel.