Photo credit: Bamepr You're young, still grinding and finding your feet in this oversubscribed world, then, from nowhere, some company calls you to give you an award for being "the best." It can feel incredibly validating to receive this type of recognition, especially when you're just starting out on your career path. The allure of being singled out as exceptional, even if you're still in the early stages of your professional journey, can be hard to resist. However, the reality behind these so-called accolades is often quite different from the glossy veneer. These companies that offer these "awards" are typically profiting off the ego and desire for external validation that is common among young professionals. When you dig into the background of these organizations, you'll often find that they're simply a group of people who are unemployed or struggling to make ends meet, and have found a way to monetize the hunger for recognition that many young people experience.