Looking at the path I took to the right seat at a regional, I instructed for about three years before I got hired. I will say that I would not have the same caliber of skill in the cockpit if I didn't spend that time teaching. I gained very valuable experience instructing, and I wouldn't trade that for anything. I look back in the mirror at my experience level right out of my commercial multi check ride and I get goosebumps thinking that at that point I could be in the right seat at a regional.

Going straight from being a student to right seat FO with nothing in between you never develop responsibility by having to manage and run your own show, nor the confidence in your own skills and judgement to offer anything to the crew environment, like challenging a potentially bad decision.