Significant Career Lesson From A CEO At Blue Dot Motorworks
For undergraduate students targeting climate tech startups, Tom, Blue Dot Motorworks' CEO, suggests a "technical pathway" as the most straightforward route, leveraging a technical bachelor's degree for immediate contributions. Alternatively, non-technical skills like "market research, customer discovery, marketing and branding" are also valuable entry points, although an MBA might be preferable for executive-level aspirations, a path Tom himself did not follow.
Entry-Level Positions, Technical Skills, Internships, Career Paths, Startups
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Tom Gurski
CEO
Blue Dot Motorworks
MIT 1999
N/A
Engineering - Mechanical
Automotive & Auto Parts
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level technical positions are in high demand in climate tech startups.
2. Internships offer valuable exposure to various industries and company types.
3. Non-technical skills like market research and marketing are also valuable and accessible with an undergraduate degree.
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
If we're talking about climate tech startups, I think the technical point of entry is the easiest. You can graduate with a bachelor's in a technical subject and immediately be making strong contributions to a company like that.
Internships are great for getting exposure to different industries and types of companies. They help you get a sense for what works for you, what you like, and what you don't like.
It's a little more complicated if you're a non-technical person. But startups certainly need all kinds of skills as well. Market research, customer discovery, marketing, and branding are all reasonable things to do coming out of an undergraduate education.
If your pathway is more like an executive-level position, then maybe you want to do an MBA first. Although I never did, and I'm not sure that it's held me back all that much. Certainly, the technical pathway in is the most straightforward.