1/ Recent discussion with a CS undergraduate student about career choices.
The choice between being an employee vs being a founder right out of school.
My view has changed over the year and have sat on both sides of the table. Apparently the answer is not quite simple.
The choice between being an employee vs being a founder right out of school.
My view has changed over the year and have sat on both sides of the table. Apparently the answer is not quite simple.
2/ My current view?
If you are interested in being a founder, try your hand at running a business while still in school.
Zero obligations. Minimal chances of triggering a critical reaction. Think of it as an extended internship.
Most likely outcome. Type I Failure.
If you are interested in being a founder, try your hand at running a business while still in school.
Zero obligations. Minimal chances of triggering a critical reaction. Think of it as an extended internship.
Most likely outcome. Type I Failure.
3/ But priceless in terms of education, self awareness and bragging rights.
If you do fail, less likely to leave a big hole in the ground given the amount of dry powder you started off with.
Your first failure will teach you a great deal about yourself and your choices.
If you do fail, less likely to leave a big hole in the ground given the amount of dry powder you started off with.
Your first failure will teach you a great deal about yourself and your choices.
4/ When you graduate, head straight for a business or a team that will expose you to work in the area and field you want to work or start a business in.
Make mistakes. Pick up experience. Learn on their dime and time.
When you have learned enough, try being a founder again.
Make mistakes. Pick up experience. Learn on their dime and time.
When you have learned enough, try being a founder again.
5/ Other than my own ventures I have had three employers.
The first one right out of school taught me how to write, pitch, build and grow teams.
The second one taught me what a profitable business looks like.
The third highlighted all the mistakes I made as a founder.
The first one right out of school taught me how to write, pitch, build and grow teams.
The second one taught me what a profitable business looks like.
The third highlighted all the mistakes I made as a founder.
6/ The first one was a consulting firm. They gave me the rule of three in pricing services.
The second was Goldman, in between two startup.
The third was a startup that caught me on rebound from my first failure as a founder.
Together the three made me who I am.
The second was Goldman, in between two startup.
The third was a startup that caught me on rebound from my first failure as a founder.
Together the three made me who I am.
7/ When we started working with startup ecosystem 15 years ago I thought best time to start is right out of school.
15 years later, I think best time to start is in school with the clear expectation that it will self destruct.
Follow that by employment that helps you grow.
15 years later, I think best time to start is in school with the clear expectation that it will self destruct.
Follow that by employment that helps you grow.
8/ What do you think? If you were advising a group of CS / EE graduating seniors what would you tell them?
Employment or startups?
Employment or startups?
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