It isn't about a rush. Its ultimately about where you want to end your career. The earlier you get the quals to apply for your next job, the better off you are.

Say you build your time and aim for a job you want. What if you don't get that one? What's next? Take a job you don't want then because you didn't get your first, second, or third choice?

The business is all about timing. If you miss a hiring window, when will the next one open? I've seen more people than I can count miss the boat, or interview and not get hired and have to wait a long time before they get another one.

Do you have a personal timeline?

All this time, others you are competing with will be building time/PIC turbine toward that next job.