How to Get a Job: Attempt to Launch Something

Last week I was in my office when a gentleman whom I did not know appeared in my doorway.  He was not there to see me but was knocking on the door of my colleague who's office is across the hall.  I introduced myself and he turned out to be an Elon Alumni coming back to campus for Homecoming.  He works for marketing company, so I invited him to come chat with my Marketing class which was starting later that day.

One takeaway.  As Peter was interviewing for the position the interviewer said, "If you were going to launch a new product, what would it be?"  Peter responded, "Actually I'm working on building an app right now."  The interviewer was very impressed with that and eventually offered him a job. 

Fast forward.  That app idea didn't work out but going through that process shows companies that you are innovative and driven.  Now Peter is doing well at his company.

Pete Rose: A Model for Entrepreneurs

No, I'm not talking about gambling.

From http://reds.enquirer.com/

This is about his records as the all-time Major League leader in hits (4,256) and at-bats (14,053).  You see where this is going.  Mr. Rose stepped up the plate more than any other player. 

What does this mean for me and you?  If you are like me and slightly above average intelligence (though not from Lake Wobegon), then we have to win via hard work and persistence.  You, with your average batting average, have to step up the plate again and again.

Yes, there are outlier entrepreneurs who seem to step up and hit home runs every time they are at the plate.  Don't let that distort the reality that 99.9% of the entrepreneurs learn by striking out again and again.

I suggest that we all can follow Pete's example as a grinder who showed up more than everyone else.  

Any Major As Long As It's Computer Science

"Any color as long as it's black" was Henry Ford's strategy.  When the time is right to share career advice with my 3 children I will say, "Any major as long as it's computer science."  I won't push them, but will definitely show them the benefits.

Every field needs computer scientists.  You want to go into agriculture, health care, education, art, whatever, they all need  wizards with superpowers. Plus you don't have to program your whole life and the base knowledge will enable you to speak with the wizards.  If fact, I will outline benefits in double majoring in Computer Science and whatever interests them.    

I was recently chatting with the Dean at a highly ranked business school and he said, "If I hear someone say 'Do What You Love' one more time, I'm going to punch them."  Yes, you can enjoy your work.  But the career management process must be aligned with real world demand.

Majoring in computer science could be your path to solving the problems in the world that keep you up at night.