Yes I think the aspect of neglecting a real career path is often overlooked. I was targeted after graduating in a fairly niche subject which I was good at. But I fell hook line and sinker for the idea that I would be stupid for getting a regular J.O.B and was grateful I had access to this wonderful MLM company, 'proven' to work by the successful bots around me. For years I was convinced if I just listened to more trainings, did more, worked harder, recruited that 'unicorn' superstar, it would all have been worth it. If I didn't give up in 3-5 years I could travel the world, watch my kid grow up, never have to have a miserable life in an office.
In the meantime I didn't get a single full time job in my field because I was sacrificing my time on MLM. I thought it was sensible. Again loads around me were successful, so I thought. So I took part time retail and catering jobs, min wage, to pay the bills. I had nothing to live on, nothing to travel with. My friends in full time jobs were travelling to amazing places and I wasted most of my 20s watching them trying not to get jealous and convincing myself I was close and it would all be worth it. My CV and experience didn't matter did it- I was going to be successful on my own terms.
So you don't want to be faced with the reality you've been an idiot and wasted the best years of your life to get a good career and set plans for the future, right? I had a good education and prospects and threw it away living worse than I had left school with no grades, as if probably have worked up to a retail manager if that had happened. In my case employment was just not worth the attention as MLM would deliver. Sigh.
I'm in a full time job now, very happy, and in my chosen field which I graduated in. However I am on a entry level wage thanks to my lack of experience for the past few years. I bet employers wonder what on earth I'm doing. I'm being managed by someone 8 years younger than me and working with others the same age. They're great, but I wonder where I'd be now if my ambition and hard work had been left alone to be focused on my career rather than an MLM dream. Maybe i would have done the travelling I'd have wanted to, with paid holiday thanks to a full time job, maybe I'd have a mortgage instead of renting, maybe I'd have been able to afford to have a baby. I'm living as I should have been years ago and it will take me a while to catch up.
This isn't meant to be a sad post! I am VERY happy in life and so so glad things have changed for me. My job and finances are a million times better than before and I feel stable, finally. But I thought this was a good opportunity to expand on the harm MLM does long term to people's career prospects as it doesn't often get brought up.