Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Chief Technology Officers
When considering entry-level positions, a computer science graduate should assess "personal finances" and "risk appetites" before deciding between a smaller startup or a more established company; the latter offers a "less sink or swim environment" to gain experience and financial stability before potentially starting a company.
Career Exploration, Entry-Level, Technology, Personal Finance, Risk Appetite
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kelly Sutton
CTO
Scholarly
Loyola Marymount University
N/A
Computer Science
Education, Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Consider personal factors like finances and risk appetite when choosing an entry-level position.
2. Starting at a stable, established company can provide valuable experience and mentorship, and help you build a financial foundation.
3. After gaining experience, consider the risk of starting your own company if you have the appetite for it.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
When choosing how to enter the industry, assuming you have a computer science degree or something else technical, there are many personal things to consider before deciding where you'll land.
You should think about personal finances, like how many student loans you have, your risk appetite, and what type of company you are looking for.
Generally, I might recommend working at a scale-up or a more mature company. This way, you can see how a successful business operates and learn valuable lessons.
You'll also find good mentors there. It's typically a less of a "sink or swim" environment, though this depends on the company. This allows you to get your financial footing and start paying off student loans.
Then, if you have the risk appetite, after doing that for a few years, you can go and try to start your own company.