College Experiences That Helped a Co-Founder at Far Homes Succeed
Max, a Far Homes co-founder, prioritized career exploration over academics in their junior and senior years, joining the American Advertising Federation to network and gain "cultural knowledge" about various career paths, ultimately securing a desirable job offer upon graduation. This experience highlights the value of early career engagement and prioritizing practical experience over solely focusing on grades for career success.
Networking, Career Exploration, Job Search, Overcoming Challenges, Achieving Goals
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Max Blumen
Co-Founder
Far Homes
UC Berkeley
N/A
Spanish & Other Languages
Real Estate, Technology
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
Video Highlights
1. Join relevant clubs early to explore different career paths and network with professionals. Max's experience with the American Advertising Federation exposed him to various fields, including banking, which broadened his career prospects.
2. Prioritize career preparation, especially during junior and senior years. Max suggests focusing on recruiting and job searching, even if it means prioritizing it over academics. Landing a job offer before graduation was his key goal.
3. Develop cultural knowledge of the business world. Understanding what is considered prestigious within different industries can help students make informed career decisions and target appropriate opportunities. Max notes that this knowledge is often gained through practical experience and networking, rather than solely through academics.
Transcript
What did you do in your undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
Honestly, junior and senior year, especially once I realized advertising wasn't going to be my career path, I knew I had to figure out something else. I started prioritizing career stuff over school pretty early.
Sophomore year, I joined a club called A Magic, which is UC Berkeley's chapter of the American Advertising Federation. It still exists today. Back then, I wanted to work in advertising, but it gave me so much exposure to things from the business school.
I got to work in advertising as a student, but I also did a lot of other things. I networked with people in all sorts of fields. I also picked up cultural knowledge you wouldn't learn if you weren't a business student, about what people consider prestigious and prestigious career paths I never would have known about.
For example, I didn't know anything about banking. I did a couple of investment banking interviews that went fine. I didn't pursue that path, but it was good to know about it because maybe it's one I would have pursued. So, getting involved in career-related stuff earlier was definitely beneficial.
Especially junior and senior year, I focused on recruiting and getting a job, even over my grades. I ended up with an okay GPA; it would have been much better if I'd focused solely on school. But I spent a lot of time prepping for interviews and learning during the latter part of college.
I left with a job offer I was really happy with, which was my goal. I knew many smart, academically minded people with amazing GPAs who didn't leave school with a job. They ended up fine, but they had a rough couple of months figuring out what to do next.