What Type Of Person Thrives In The Tech Industry, According To A Director, Product Marketing At Meta
Kati, a Director of Product Marketing at Meta, identifies three key traits for success in the tech industry: "insatiable curiosity," a drive to constantly innovate ("good isn't good enough"), and meticulous planning with the ability to confidently articulate a perspective to senior leadership. This reflects the fast-paced, demanding nature of the role and the company culture.
Insatiable Curiosity, Innovation, Strategic Planning, Preparedness, Strong Communication
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kati McGee
Director, Product Marketing
Meta Inc.
University of Texas at Austin, graduated 2010
N/A
History, Art History
Technology, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Insatiable curiosity and a desire to build one's own perspective are key traits for success in the tech industry.
2. A willingness to challenge the status quo and continuously innovate is crucial, as the industry is constantly evolving.
3. Strong planning and preparation skills, along with the ability to articulate a perspective and strategy confidently, are essential, especially for leadership roles.
Transcript
How would you describe people who thrive, typically thrive in this industry?
I think there are three common traits that I've seen. These are people who thrive at Facebook, or Meta, but it probably holds true across the industry as a whole.
The first is insatiable curiosity. People who work in tech really like to ask a lot of questions. They do so from the standpoint of wanting to understand and build their own perspective. The people who ask questions to build their own knowledge and foundation tend to do really well in the industry.
The second trait is not being satisfied with the status quo. These people are always willing to push the barrier. Good isn't good enough for them; they want to see what's next.
When you go to Facebook's headquarters, on the back of the sign at the front is the old Sun Microsystems logo. Mark Zuckerberg intentionally left it there to remind everyone that if they don't innovate, somebody else will. The general perception is that you always have to be innovating and moving forward with the consumer, because the consumer isn't comfortable with the status quo.
The third trait is being buttoned up. It's about planning the work and working the plan. People who do really well, especially with leadership, are well prepared when they walk into a room. You don't have to know the answer to every question, but you need to have a perspective.
These are people who aren't afraid to use their voice, who are thoughtful, and who think with care and reason. At the end of the day, they have the rigor to hold up a strategy in front of senior leaders.
Advizer Personal Links
@katimcgee