Entry-level positions for aspiring Operations Professionals
For undergraduate students seeking entry-level operations positions, internships are a great starting point, followed by roles such as "operations specialist," "operations coordinator," or "operations assistant." Mark advises seeking opportunities at "a really good company where you'll meet a lot of people that you can learn from," or roles that are "multifaceted," offering exposure to diverse aspects of the business.
Operations Management, Entry-Level Jobs, Career Development, Tech Industry, Networking
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mark Pesin
Sr. Director of Operations
Tend
University of California, Santa Barbara
N/A
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain, Technology
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level operations roles are widely available, often titled as Operations Specialist, Coordinator, or Assistant.
2. Prioritize companies with strong mentorship opportunities or roles offering diverse responsibilities and learning experiences.
3. Internships provide valuable experience and networking opportunities within the tech industry, especially in the marketplace sector.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
Depending on your experience, there are several good starting points. While in college or fresh out of graduation, internships are abundant in the tech space, particularly within marketplace companies.
If you have a bit more experience or have already graduated, entry-level operations roles are a great option. These positions are often labeled as Operations Specialist, Operations Coordinator, or Operations Assistant, among other similar titles.
When looking for these roles, consider two main factors. Either, it's at a reputable company where you can learn from experienced colleagues and potentially report to a mentor. Or, B, the role itself is multifaceted.
Some entry-level operations roles might involve repetitive tasks, like answering support tickets. This can be worthwhile if you are learning from intelligent people at the company, even if you aren't exposed to many different parts of the business.
Alternatively, if a role is more multifaceted, you may not need to be surrounded by as many people to learn from. You can gain experience from various aspects of the business through the role itself.
These are the kinds of opportunities I would seek out after college. The titles can vary widely, but they generally fall under categories like Op Specialist, Ops Coordinator, or entry-level ops positions.