Chris Philipps on building an accidental career off the beaten track.
Nowadays more and more young people are putting tremendous pressure on themselves to make the right career choices. The best school grades, the right university, the fastest bachelor, a semester abroad, internship in the right companies - every step is planned in advance and does not leave space for trial and error and exploration. When asked for their motives, people reveal that they often see that as their only chance to succeed.
In this session, Chris talks about his own career but also other careers that seem to be totally random and only make sense in retrospect. He shows off the beaten paths success patterns and main drivers for success (whatever that word really means).
This talk addresses both young professionals as well as more advanced people who are feeling stuck and who are struggling to build a career despite their best efforts.
About Chris Philipps:
Chris is a co-founder of Philipps & Byrne, a tech advisory company based in Berlin specialising in Tech Due Diligence. He has worked as Interim CTO for many well-known companies. He has performed over 100 Tech DDs and worked with over 150 startups and investors worldwide. Chris contributes regularly as a conference and keynote speaker (Google, TOA, GOTO, JAX, Code. Talks, Unicorns in Tech, Continental, Bosch..) and has contributed to various books regarding tech & Agile leadership.
1. The story of an
accidental career
why you don’t need to join the rat race (if you don’t want to)
Chris Philipps
Co-Founder / Managing Partner
2. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• Chris Philipps, Co-Founder / MD
at PHILIPPS & BYRNE
• Tech advisory and leadership development
for startups
• Tech Due Diligence for VCs
• 100+ Tech DDs, 150+ startups worldwide
• 20 years in Tech: Dev, Web Operations, QA,
Interim CTO
Hi!
5. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
II. Because we met so many scared young people
Why this talk?
6. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
Why this talk?
I have to study the right thing
I have to get my degree fast
I must not quit
I must not fail
I must pursue my career
I’m 30. I must become team lead now
Must be popular
Must earn money
Must fulfil expectations
Must have a title
I must have the best grades
I must work at a well-known company
I must finish school with 18
I must do internships at the right companies
I must spend a semester abroad
11. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
Inga Bergen, CEO Magnosco
• Started as: Apprentice travel management assistant,
Raver ;)
• Now: CEO of Magnosco, one of the leading people in
digital health in Germany
• Her story: Studied Political Science, worked in India and
Turkey, worked in sales/BD, first CEO position in a Health
Tech company and rebuilt the company successfully.
• Advice to others: “Allow yourself to develop truly
originary thinking”
Advice to younger self (1999):
“If there is an opportunity: TAKE IT!”
12. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
Lars Jankowfsky, CEO NFQ Asia
• Started as: Mechanical Engineering Student (Drop-out)
• Now: Founder of NFQ Asia (around 180 people)
• His story: Was a geek in private, accidentally became
software developer; went bankrupt with his first company;
co-founded Oxid and Swoodoo (sold to Kayak)
• Advice to others: “Become very, very good at one thing
that you really love”
Advice to younger self (1999):
“Kauf die Domains, Du Depp!”
(“Buy the domains, stupid!”)
13. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
Chris
• Started as: German
Literature Student (Drop-
out)
• Now: Founder of Philipps
& Byrne; one of the
European experts for Tech
DDs in startups
• My story: University drop-
out after 6 semesters;
only excited about internet
and startups; became
Fachinformatiker, started
my own company; went
back to startup scene,
became CTO and advisor;
started Tech DDs because I
‘thought they are interesting’
• Advice to others: “Be
always true to yourself;
that’s the most interesting
thing about you”
Advice to younger self
(1999):
“Take more risks.
Stop overthinking.
Follow the energy!”
15. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• Listen to your gut feeling
• Follow you interest / curiosity
• Allow yourself to make mistakes (and learn fast!)
• Be persistent (not always but when it counts)
Common Patterns for Success
16. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• Develop meta-skills
• Be the first to provide value
• Get a mentor
• Get a tribe
Common Patterns for Success
17. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
It’s the most important step in the entire process
Define “Success” - for YOU!
23. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• Impostor Syndrome (and not talking about it)
• Limiting belief systems
• Living other people’s idea of success
Anti-Patterns
24. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• Impostor Syndrome (and not talking about it)
• Limiting belief systems
• Living other people’s idea of success
Anti-Patterns
25. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• Impostor Syndrome (and not talking about it)
• Limiting belief systems
• Living other people’s idea of success
Anti-Patterns
26. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• Fear?
Growth is always scary. Accept it.
A word about fear
27. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
Find your
Tribe:
Icons,
Role Models,
Mentors,
Peers
28. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• Success starts with reflection: “What’s important to me?”
• Follow your interest, become really good at it
• Look for mentors and a tribe
• If you don’t know your vision: explore!
Conclusion
29. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
Find Philipps & Byrne:
www.philipps-byrne.com
Find Chris:
e-Mail: chris@philipps-byrne.com
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/chris-philipps-a523758/
Twitter: @chphilipps
Instagram: @chris_philipps_
Thank you!
32. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• Do you have a vision?
• If not: Unknown territory - explore with baby-steps
• Test, inspect, adapt
• Career MVPs
• Happiness Index!
Use your agile tool-kit
33. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• One of the European experts / go-to
people for TechDDs in startups
• 150+ startups, 100+ TechDD’s,
worldwide
• Owner of my own company
Now
• Interim CTO ( OUTFITTERY, crealytics,
Ryte, DailyDeal, …)
• Startup mentor for equity
• Speaker, author, conference organiser
• Not insanely rich but doing well
Most importantly: Happy with and good at what I am doing
34. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• University drop-out after 6 semesters of German Literature, Philosophy and red wine :)
• No internships, no semesters abroad, no side jobs
• Apprenticeship as “Fachinformatiker” at a startup which went bankrupt after 1,5 years (see also:
“New Economy”)
• 1st burnout right after first startup
• Was wondering what to do - had literally NO idea (and was depressed about it)
Not quite a by-the-book start…
35. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• “Ich-AG” in 2003; distance between desk and bed: 1,5m
• Founded an internet agency because I had no better idea
• “New Economy” crisis
• Had no clue about business - made more mistakes than I could count
• Worked 70 hours a week on Hartz IV level (aka “Lehrgeld”)
• Participated in bastard software project from hell™
• 2nd burn-out
It’s a long way to Tipperary
36. Chris Philipps
The story of an accidental career
• Pressure
• Fear
• Discomfort
• No time for family, friends, …
• High Risks
• Continuous self-improvement
Disclaimer: Most “success” comes with a price