College Experiences That Helped a Founder and CEO at Konnekted Coworking Succeed
Nickolaus, Founder & CEO of Konnekted Coworking, advises students to approach college with a level of seriousness proportionate to their career goals, emphasizing the importance of "learning, making the right connections," and ensuring a smooth transition into the professional world. The interviewee stresses that while enjoying college is crucial, a serious approach yields a better return on investment, as employers value graduates who transition directly into careers, demonstrating a clear understanding of "what the goal is with college."
Career Development, Networking, Achieving Goals, Motivational Stories, Practical
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Nickolaus Violin
Founder & CEO
Konnekted Coworking
Cal State Northridge, 2017
UCAL Anderson | MBA
Marketing
Hospitality, Restaurants & Events, Real Estate
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
Honors Student, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Take college seriously but also enjoy the experience. Balance having fun with academics to ensure a smooth transition into a career after graduation.
2. Network and make connections with peers and professors. These relationships can be invaluable in your career journey.
3. Define your goals for college. Understanding your purpose for attending college will help you stay focused and make the most of your time and resources. Consider how your college experience will translate into your future career.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I took it seriously. Depending on the field you plan to go into and the level you want to reach, that's the level of seriousness you should apply to college.
For me, I returned to college a little later in life with the intent to earn an MBA from a top business school, not just any MBA. My focus was to do well, take it seriously, and learn. Grades have to matter if you're aiming for a top business school, but it was also about learning and making the right connections.
This ties back to a conversation we had about Gen Z and learning structure. If you take college seriously, real life becomes a lot easier. It's easier to excel and adapt.
This makes the transition easier from waking up late for classes to needing to be at work by 9:00 AM every day and getting to sleep at a reasonable hour. I think taking it seriously to a certain extent allows you to still enjoy college.
By no means am I telling anyone not to enjoy it; please enjoy college. It's an experience you won't have again. Enjoy college, but take it seriously enough to recognize that you or someone else is spending money on it.
Whether it's your parents working hard to pay, or the state providing a grant, somebody is paying for it. You owe it to them to take it at least somewhat seriously. Whether it's your parents or the state that has deemed you worthy of a scholarship or grant, somebody is footing the bill.
You owe it to them to take it seriously enough for there to be a return on investment. You're giving up four or five years of your life, yes to have fun, but also to learn. Take it seriously enough so you emerge ready for the real world immediately after graduation, not a couple of years later.
If you're a couple of years behind, employers will notice. They'll ask what you did right after college, and there are reasons why you didn't go straight into a career.
Of course, an employer might say, "That's great that you did that," but if you don't have a good answer, and you just say you "played around for three years while you figured it out," they might ask if you're sure you've figured it out. They are about to spend money training and paying you.
So, I'd say take it seriously enough. Know your goal with college. Are you there just for a degree that won't matter, or is it directly related to your future career?
Figure out how seriously you're going to take college and then stick to that, but definitely enjoy it. Don't miss out on all the cool things college has to offer.