Do career outcomes average out over time?

This forum and elsewhere online place a ton of importance on the first job you get out of university. Was wondering if any experienced forum members can chime in how true this is?

Reason I ask is because I went through a significant health problem during the SA recruiting period and subsequently wasn't able to perform as well as I thought I could have, leading to subpar offers compared to my peers who I would say I'm normally as competent as. Therefore I was wondering how much this would hinder my career over the long term, assuming I am actually as competent as guys who landed BBs and EBs and whether your first job out of college is actually as deep as WSO implies it is.

So let's say you face a setback at any point in your career, once you're out of the game is it hard to get back on the train? Or as long as you keep hustling you will be okay?