College Experiences that Helped a Chief Revenue Officer at Braintrust Tutors Succeed
Jon's undergraduate experience involved initially prioritizing academic success ("getting good grades") before shifting focus to networking and building connections, recognizing their importance for post-graduation opportunities. This led Jon to advise students to concurrently pursue both academic excellence and relationship building, suggesting setting goals for each aspect to achieve a well-rounded undergraduate experience.
Networking, Career Development, Achieving Goals, Overcoming Challenges, Goal Setting
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jon Small
CRO
Braintrust Tutors
McGill University 2000
MA NYU and MBA UCLA
Fine Arts, Music, Psychology
Education
Education
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Prioritize both academic success and networking. Jon initially focused on grades, then shifted to building connections, suggesting the importance of both for career success.
2. Set specific goals for academics and networking. Instead of solely focusing on one or the other, he recommends setting quantifiable goals for GPA and networking activities (e.g., number of connections, internships).
3. Balance academic performance and professional experience. Jon's experience highlights the value of internships or professional experiences in complementing academic achievements to boost career prospects after graduation.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
My undergraduate experience was a bit of a journey. I pursued a couple of different undergraduate and graduate degrees.
In my first undergraduate experience, I focused intensely on academic performance and fulfilling my responsibilities as a student. In my second experience, as I shifted majors and explored a new field, I realized the importance of building connections.
Finding people with similar interests and skills was crucial. This way, upon graduation, I would have a network for potential ventures or introductions to career opportunities.
Most people only have one undergraduate experience, forcing them to choose between these two aspects. However, I believe it's possible to achieve both.
I spent several years solely focused on academic success and maintaining a high GPA. Then, after making a shift, I dedicated a couple of years to networking and forming the right connections to open up post-college career opportunities.
Many people must balance these concurrently throughout their four years of study. I recommend setting goals for each aspect.
For example, aim for a specific GPA while also striving to make a certain number of new friends or connections, or to gain a set number of internships or professional experiences during each academic term. Ultimately, I believe you should pursue both.