College Experiences That Helped a Founder at ThoughtfulGPT LLC Succeed
To achieve career success, a balanced approach is key: "set goals and work really hard, but not too hard," while actively building a strong network through extracurriculars and "case competitions," which significantly enhanced their resume and helped secure initial career opportunities. This holistic approach, combining academic achievement with social engagement, proved invaluable in their career journey.
Networking, Goal Setting, Extracurricular Activities, Building Connections, Career Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Nikolas Win
ThoughtfulGPT, LLC
Seed-Stage AIaaS Startup
San Jose State University
UCLA Anderson FTMBA (Class of 2025)
Business Management & Admin, Finance
Consulting & Related Professional Services, Technology
Business Strategy
Video Highlights
1. Set goals and work hard, but maintain a work-life balance. Networking is crucial for success in business, so building connections is important.
2. Participate in extracurricular activities seriously; they provide valuable experience and networking opportunities that can significantly improve your resume and interview performance.
3. Academic performance is only one aspect of career success; your first job is often the hardest to get, and extracurriculars and networking can make a big difference in securing it. Case competitions are a good example of this.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I set goals and worked hard, but not excessively. I believe that within business, most people I know are successful because they can get things done while also having a life outside of work. They have personalities and other interests to discuss.
A lot of what happens in business requires building connections with people; this is central to the field. This is why people attend business schools like MBAs – for the network they create. Developing your network offers not only potential business opportunities but also friendships.
Without these aspects in my career, especially during undergrad, I wouldn't have discovered what I enjoy doing. I might not have found opportunities like case competitions, which helped improve my resume. Academics are only a small part of the picture.
Participating in extracurriculars is not just for making friends; taking them seriously allows you to discuss them during interviews. These experiences were extremely helpful in securing my first few positions. I know that obtaining that initial role is always the most difficult, and these opportunities really helped me bridge that gap.
Advizer Personal Links