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Hrmn.
Best I can offer right now is a distillation of painfully-bought wisdom:
1. Never trust anyone.
2. Never assume anything.
3. If it ain't in writing, don't believe it.
4. Before signing, be SURE to see a copy of their annual review forms/protocols.
5. Always quote a price higher than you think you deserve.
6. If you do not ABSOLUTELY NEED IT, then you ABSOUTELY MUST NOT BUY IT.
7. Credit is the Devil's work. Cash and carry ONLY.
8. Diversify. Never stop adding/honing skills. Never stop looking for another job. It is called "having outs".
9. Your family/life is more important than your career.
10. Most important: You do NOT work for them - you work for yourself. Even if you are employed by another, this remains true. They rent your time and talents, you rent out your time and talents in order to see to your own ends. They do not own you unless you let them.