College Experiences That Helped a Head of Business Development at Xsolla Succeed
Maurice's success stems from prioritizing relationship building, learned during journalism studies and exemplified by helping a professor move, which unexpectedly led to Maurice's first job. This approach emphasizes reciprocal helpfulness, maintaining connections with peers and professors as invaluable assets for long-term career advancement because "you never know where somebody...is going to be a decade down the road".
Relationship Building, Networking, Communication, Professional Development, Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Maurice Scarborough
Head of Business Development
Xsolla Holding Company
University of Missouri - 2010
UCLA Anderson School of Management, MBA
Creative Writing, Journalism
Gaming
Sales and Client Management
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Build relationships with professors and peers: Networking and relationship-building are crucial for career success. Helping others and maintaining connections can lead to unexpected opportunities.
2. Journalism skills are transferable: Maurice's journalism background taught him valuable relationship-building and communication skills applicable to business development.
3. Focus on helping others: A genuine willingness to help others, without expecting immediate returns, fosters strong relationships and creates a positive reputation, ultimately benefiting your career trajectory.
Transcript
Maurice, taking you back to your time at the University of Missouri. What did you do in undergrad that set you up for success in your career?
Oh, good old Mizzou. This might sound like a repeat of my last answer, but it's about building relationships. Journalism, in particular, is all about learning how to build relationships and connections with people quickly and in a trusting manner.
People trust you to tell their story in a way that's representative of their experience. So, I'd say relationship building was key for me. My first job after undergrad was because of relationships I had built with a professor.
I helped his daughter move furniture into her new apartment. We spent the day driving around, picking up items, loading the truck, and unloading it. I did it out of goodwill, not thinking it would help me get a job later.
Ultimately, it did translate into him introducing me to my first boss. So, the relationships you build with peers, professors, and colleagues are invaluable. You shouldn't necessarily go into them thinking about what you'll get out of it down the road.
Like any relationship, I like to see what I can do to help people. I enjoy being a helpful person and if they reciprocate later, that's great. Relationships are built on mutual support; you might help someone now, and they might help you later.
So, build those relationships with your peers and professors. You never know where someone you went to class with will be a decade from now. They might be in an industry or company you're interested in.
Finding ways to stay in touch and maintain those relationships are some of the most important pieces of advice I can give. It has served me so well throughout my career and my life.