Uploaded bySadiq Sid Shaik
A Perspective on Careers for Undergrads- Traditional & Entrepreneurship
The document discusses career paths in traditional roles and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of mastering a craft, contributing to an ecosystem, and serving meaningful causes. It outlines key strategies for career development, including setting SMART goals and engaging in continuous learning. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to build strong relationships with customers and to effectively communicate their visions to attract support and resources.
A Perspective on Careers for Undergrads- Traditional & Entrepreneurship
- 1. A Perspective onCareers: Traditional & Entrepreneurship ECE398 - 5/26/22 Sid Shaik Sr. Director of Products
- 2. Tech is oneof many fulfilling career paths https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_University_of_Washington_people
- 3. Careers in TechCos look like this- Tech Execs I look up to Iterations and Jumps earn you more resources => Solve Bigger Problems Careers are not linear- be open to switching functions eg: Eng → Sales Entrepreneur Mayank Edith Entrepreneur (Equity) Traditional Career (W2) Choose a Cause Build an Ecosystem Join a Co Learn a Craft Student Promoted Fellow or VP / CXO Jeff
- 4. Three Dimensions toDeveloping Super-Powers– Craft, Contribution & Service ● Study a Craft ○ Define, Build, Test, Sustain, Support, Market, Sell ○ Leadership ● Contribute to an Ecosystem ○ Understand an ecosystem- customers, supply chain, operators, financers ○ Figure out how and where you want to contribute- passion and strength align ○ Build relationships, learn from role models ○ Contribute and build a reputation within that ecosystem ○ Get recognized ● Serve a worthy Cause ○ Be excited about serving someone.. and why it is meaningful to you ○ Find meaning- highest form of happiness! Be Intentional about Iterations: Opportunity Cost What Super-Powers you want to Develop in each iteration? Experiment with the three dimensions till you find your fit
- 5. ● Structured learning:Books, Certifications, Courses ● Semi-structured learning ○ Learn from the best: Work for, work with and hire people that you admire ○ Create: Tap into the power of the creative process- finish lines, develop intuition, partnering! ○ Meetups, Social Media ● Accelerated learning ○ Contribute: Teach, Consult, Advise ○ Compete, calibrate with the best Continuous Learning is part of Learning a Craft Invest in Learning, Transition Strategically at Every Stage in Career Be strategic: Learn what is useful at the next stage
- 6. Traditional Career Become aMaster Craftsperson (IC1-8) or Leader of Master Craftspeople (M2-10)
- 7. You are competingwith your best self, calibrating against the best in the industry Set “SMART” Goals for Iterations & Negotiate Jumps Pick a domain (Eng, Sales, etc) thoughtfully, Set meaningful goals, Go Deep
- 8. Develop Intuition aboutyour Industry, Test it Frequently Invest $$ & Time in Developing a Thesis for Career Paths Pulse of Ecosystems Pulse of Pundits / Scholars Learn from Customers Pulse of Customer
- 9. Non-Traditional Career Build aBusiness a.k.a Entrepreneurship
- 10. Three key elementsof the Ecosystem Entrepreneurs need Assumption: You have mastery of one or more valuable crafts + Basic leadership skills Employees Customers Financer Entrepreneur Play in a large & Growing Ecosystem
- 11. (Paying) Customers Ability toacquire, retain & scale the customer base is the foundation of your business plan ● Build relationships with customers over years: Talk to angry customers in pain, solve their support tickets, build relationships ● Help out sales guys, marketing guys, legal, etc ● Understand the marketing collateral for your product ● Go to Conferences, do booth duty ● Recruit mentors, advisors who have deep industry knowledge ● Hire a smart sales / marketing person Know your buyers & users, what they want and why they want your definition of a product
- 12. ● Roommates, Alumnifrom school or previous employer ● Friends of friends you trust ● Others with passion for your cause ● People wanting to learn from you ● People who heard about you ● People looking for jobs Right employees are critical to your success Employees (and Partners) Recruit & Retain People who Complement your (team’s) Skillsets
- 13. Raise enough $ TheFinancers- Eg: Sand Hill Rd, Menlo Park, CA Investors are classified by stages- Angel, Seed, Series A, etc.
- 14. Bet on Me!!!I have a well thought out plan Effective Oral & Written Communication are Critical to Success You are competing for Attention, $, Sponsorship for your Cause Express an informed opinion Help you take a stand Differentiate yourself Show your passion Demonstrate initiative Create windows of opportunities Open doors Entrepreneurs need to convince their ecosystem to support their cause!
- 15. Accelerate your Learning Finda reputed Accelerator- ymmv* Apply to them with a business plan
- 16. ← Inspiration: Bewareof Survivorship Bias! Business craft: A study of product markets, failure modes, hyper-growth, winner psychology, org dynamics & how to navigate situations → Inspiration & Wisdom, Books that provide
- 17.