Entry-level Positions For Aspiring Chief Operating Officers
Marcos, BioDAF Water Technologies USA's Chief Operating Officer, advises that "any role that you take early on in your career, as long as you're willing to learn and adapt, can help you become a COO," emphasizing the value of diverse experiences over a specific degree. For those targeting environmental roles, the COO suggests internships with climate or water startups as a strong entry point.
Entry-Level Positions, Internships, Career Development, Generalist Skills, Environmental Engineering
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Marcos De la Monja
Chief Operating Officer
BioDAF Water Technologies USA
Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente (ITESO)
MBA - University of South Carolina | Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
International Relations & Affairs
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management
Operations and Project Management
Immigrant
Video Highlights
1. Internships are incredibly valuable in gaining experience and skills applicable to various roles, including COO.
2. Early career roles, even outside of environmental engineering, can provide valuable experience and help in becoming a COO. The key is being willing to learn and adapt.
3. Focus on internships at climate or water startups to gain relevant experience in the environmental field if you are interested in that area.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
I would like to think of COOs as generalists. We sit on top of the organization and wear a lot of hats in order to align the company's goals with its strategy.
While my own experience as an environmental or project engineer shows, any role you take early in your career can help you become a COO, as long as you are willing to learn and adapt. Internships are incredibly valuable.
I had an internship dealing with international law and regulations, and then eventually moved on to something that had to do with the environment. I feel like everything I've done has given me tools in different parts of the organization that have helped me be in the position I am now.
This allows me to understand different areas like marketing, sales, engineering, and project management. If your target is to become a COO, expose yourself to as much as you can.
If you want to pursue something in the environmental field, I would focus more on getting internships. Internships at climate startups would be a good idea, as would water startups. Work yourself up from there.