Recently, we've had a nice influx of people interest in ham radio with our radio club. Our club has provided some training classes and several people have punched their ticket and obtained (or is in the process of) their technician license.
Several of the seasoned hams push really hard to get the newly licensed hams to upgrade to general to obtain more HF spectrum access. Some of them are so adamant that it becomes awkward and uncomfortable. While I know these hams are just trying to push to get hams more active in the hobby, I don't so much agree with pushing so hard. Especially when it's around the reason they are hams.
Ham radio has a ton of different paths you can take. CW, DXing, contesting, rag-chewing, repeaters, simplex, and even building / repairing electronics and antennas.
I've met a lot of hams and there in some cases are huge differences in how they apply their hobby. For rag-chewers, SSB HF is like the internet, but for like-minded people. It brings people who like to socialize and radio together. Some people will say, this is what ham radio is about, but that's not true. It's only one aspect of ham radio!
I am more introverted and therefore, small talk doesn't come easy for me. When I really started to get into HF, I chose to do digit modes over voice. (SSB) It was easier for me and I didn't have to have uncomfortable chats with people I really didn't know. Over time, this changed. I still do not like to have uncomfortable conversations, but I also lost interest in digital modes like FT-8 except for chasing DX in countries or great distances. Today, if I turn on my HF radio, it's almost certainly for SSB and it's usually just to make a brief contact (usually DX) with or talk with friends whom I'm already comfortably acquainted with.
Many other aspects of what I consider ham radio do not even require a license. For instance, I hosted an ADS-B monitor / tracker and used to enjoy seeing the planes and their locations and seeing how many planes I could track in a day. (it can be competitive)
I also have owned two SDRPlays and monitor ham radio and other bands like AM, FM radio stations, local emergency services, catching satellite weather images as they are transmitted to Earth and even listening to the very same airplanes I used to track with ADS-B talk to airport tower control. These do not even require a ham radio license and couldn't be a cause to upgrade.
The point that I'm making is, while other hams can show you the possibilities. It's your interest that should drive whether you want to upgrade your license. I obtained my Extra license, but not really for any specific "radio need" that the license offered except that I could now transmit anywhere in the allotted band without risking fines and I could learn something in the process. (I'm a habitual hobbyist)
For the new hams, find what interests you and learn from the hams that are knowledgeable in that area.
I love electronics and tend to befriend those in the hobby that also dabble (or in some cases are seasoned professionals) in electronics. For me, it's about the physics and technology it drives. Not chatting or making a billion FT-8 contacts. Though I fully respect those that do that as that's their way of enjoying the hobby. You should fine your way.
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