Significant Career Lesson From a Vice President at Applied Materials
Mike's most significant career lesson is that building "a broad set of experiences" through diverse roles and locations is far more valuable than focusing solely on vertical advancement. This approach, involving "multiple countries" and "different things," made Mike uniquely valuable to employers, ultimately leading to greater career progression than a narrowly focused path.
Career Development, Executive/Leadership, Global Workplace, Real Estate, Facilities Management
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mike DeMuro
Vice President, Global Workplace and Infrastructure
Applied Materials
University of Southern California
MBA, Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
Economics, Finance
Real Estate, Technology
Strategic Management and Executive
Video Highlights
1. Build a broad set of experiences rather than focusing on a narrow specialization. A diverse range of roles and locations makes you a more unique and valuable candidate.
2. Don't prioritize vertical ascension (promotions) early in your career; focus on gaining broad experience through sideways moves.
3. Broad experience across multiple companies, countries, and aspects of the field (real estate, construction, management) creates more long-term opportunities and ultimately leads to career advancement
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
It's far more important to build a broad set of experiences than to focus on a very narrow path. I worked at a number of different companies and locations. I also worked in various aspects of the real estate and facilities function, including construction and management.
I never focused on vertical job ascension. Instead, I concentrated on gaining as much broad experience as possible. This has proven far more valuable to managers and hiring companies than having a singular experience.
When I've looked for new opportunities, companies see that I've worked in multiple countries and for multiple companies, and that I've done these different things. This has made me uniquely valuable to them. It created more opportunities for me in the long term and, I believe, provided more career progression without me actively focusing on it.
My advice is to not think about moving up, but to think about moving sideways as much as you can, especially early in your career. It will pay dividends in the long run.