College Experiences That Helped A Founder At To Be Honest Beverages Succeed
Michelle's undergraduate philosophy degree fostered a questioning mindset, encouraging a proactive approach to problem-solving and critical thinking; this, coupled with seeking out challenging roles that demanded "figuring things out," laid a strong foundation for their entrepreneurial journey and current success as a founder, emphasizing the importance of exploration and self-discovery during college.
Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving, Questioning Beliefs, Career Exploration, Networking
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michelle Houston
Founder & Visionary
To Be Honest Beverage Company
California Polytechnic State University
None
Philosophy
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Business Strategy
Pell Grant Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Ask deep and challenging questions to understand yourself and the world better, leading to more fulfilling career choices.
2. Actively seek out problem-solving and critical-thinking experiences to build resilience and adaptability.
3. Embrace exploration and diverse experiences during college to discover passions and uncover unexpected opportunities that align with your values and goals.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
It might have been due to the philosophical nature of my undergraduate work, which is a BA in philosophy. I feel there was a limitation in the way I thought about things, people, and myself. This inhibited me from asking questions, asking for help, and asking for support.
I highly suggest asking questions as often as possible, especially the deeper questions. Dive into things that maybe other people don't want to look at, haven't considered before, or are too embarrassed to ask.
Asking these questions will lead you down the path of connection, collaboration, networking, and opportunity. It will allow you to dig deeper into what you want and how you want to show up in the world, which should determine your career path and choices.
Your career is where you'll spend most of your time. It will affect your happiness, impact your relationships, and influence your health and how you lead your life as a whole. So, think very deeply about what that's going to look like and ask those tough questions.
I also put myself in positions where I was problem-solving and critical thinking, figuring things out for myself as I went. This wasn't something I did at the college level, where I wasn't just given step-by-step instructions. It wasn't rote work.
The more you can challenge yourself from a younger age, the better positioned you'll be to enter roles that truly challenge you. These roles offer opportunities for promotion and success as you grow, providing more fulfillment.
Overall, what I did in college that really set me up for success, especially in a founder or business ownership role, was studying philosophy. It taught me how to ask questions, a way of thinking, and how to question belief systems and ways of life. I figured things out on my own, rather than being handed a skillset.
This isn't to say other fields of study aren't beneficial; they absolutely are. If you're an engineer at heart, go do that. If you have a set idea of what you want to do and your career path, that's awesome.
But in college, that is your time for exploration. It's your time for asking questions, for discovery, and not necessarily for building a memory bank of skillsets you might not use. Take the time to learn, to adventure, and to do things you never thought you'd be interested in. It will expose you to future opportunities that might save your life or give you that sense of purpose, happiness, and fulfillment we're all looking for.