College Experiences That Helped A Deputy Director of Battery Manufacturing At Tesla Succeed
Mohamad, Deputy Director of Battery Manufacturing at Gotion High Tech, credits their college success to running a moving business concurrently with their studies. This "side hustle" provided real-world experience, allowing them to apply classroom learning directly and develop adaptability, problem-solving skills, and valuable practical knowledge — ultimately leading to a "really, really successful" business and a strong foundation for their impactful career.
Entrepreneurship, Adaptability, Problem-Solving, Practical Experience, Real-World Application
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mohamad Ali Zeitoun
Deputy Director of Battery Manufacturing
Currently Gotion High Tech. Previously Tesla Battery manufacturing
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
None
Business & Related, International Relations & Affairs
Energy & Utilities
Business Strategy
Immigrant
Video Highlights
1. Having a side hustle while in college provides real-world experience applicable to coursework and future jobs.
2. Mohamad emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience and not solely relying on theoretical knowledge from college.
3. Failure is a learning opportunity; don't be afraid to take risks and learn from mistakes during college and beyond.
Transcript
Here is the cleaned transcript:
**Q12: College ideas for success**
What did you do in college to set you up for success in your career?
When I was at SUI, I needed to pay for living expenses. So I started a small side business. I'd had other businesses before, but having a business while in college meant I was learning things I could implement at my business or job.
Having a side business or side hustle was one of the best things I did. I became very adaptable to different situations and could solve problems at work. When I was doing assignments, I had actual real-world examples.
For instance, if a business class was talking about starting a business, I could easily answer questions because I was in the process of starting one. The same applied to finance class; I was managing finances for my business. Marketing was especially important, as I had to market my side business.
It was a moving business. I rented trucks from U-Haul, bought a couple of my own, made a website, and started moving offices, commercial buildings, and equipment. It blew up and became very successful.
What I learned is that doing something on the side is very important. Don't just focus on college; that's the worst thing you can do. You become book smart but lack practical work experience. While in college, get involved in as many things as you can, and don't be afraid to fail. Those failures will give you the tools you need, both in and out of college.