Here's a summary of the advice from that Hacker News thread

💰 Is chasing startup riches worth it? Nah, the success stories are rare. Don't feel like a loser if you're making good money doing something you enjoy. Focus on being in the top 20% of income earners and finding satisfaction in your work.
🕰️ Where do startup vets fit in established companies? Plenty of decade-old companies (often boring but necessary ones) need your startup experience to actually ship things. Don't chase the unicorn dream; aim for a solid ~$170-300k and real cash money.
🤯 Burned out by the startup hustle? You're not alone. Big companies have their problems, but clocking out and not screaming CEO/CTO is liberating AF. Consider companies with 1000+ employees.
🏆 How to turn startup failures into wins? Don't dwell on the "failure" label. Frame your rapid learning, problem-solving, and adaptability as valuable assets. Green tech and medical tech might be less competitive.
🎯 Aiming for a tech product role? Spin your experience. You didn't "only do product work" for a year, you "spent years dedicating personal learning time... and were promoted to technical product lead." References gotta back you up, tho.
🏢 How to navigate corporate BS? Corps don't dig lone wolves. Emphasize teamwork, mentoring, and process understanding on your CV. Ditch the "fluff" and present a stable career history.
🧭 Lost in the job market chaos? Figure out exactly what you love to do. Speak positively about your past work and target companies that value your unique skills. Your controllables? Application volume, company quality, skill alignment.
🤖 AI & offshoring stealing your job? Nah, fam. AI-generated SaaS with real users = still a dream. Offshoring? It's cyclical. Ride those rhythms, and you'll thrive.
🎭 Selling yourself, not just skills? Figure out their problems. Position yourself as the solution. Focus on biztech (stability) vs. product tech (hot mess). Certs can help, esp. in biztech.
🤝 Networking still matters, right? Referrals and nepotism are still key. Tap your network, find good recruiters!

Here are some stories/metaphors to help internalize these points:

The Gold Rush: All those selling shovels made more money than most digging for gold (TylerE's point). Selling "picks and shovels" isn't a bad gig.
The Phoenix: Startup burns you out? Rise from the ashes into a stable corporate role. It's a valid evolution.
The Adult Supervision/Lieutenant: You might be too young for full "adult supervision" (Bigiain's term), but you can be the trusted lieutenant.
The Hustle Porn Myth: Be wary of "hustle" culture B.S.. Success isn't always about insane hours and unicorn dreams (rednafi).
The Product Pitch: You're selling yourself now. Understand your audience (potential employers) and tailor your pitch.

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