College Experiences That Helped a YouTube Strategic Partner Manager Succeed
Victor's college success stemmed from quickly identifying "the things that you like and the things that you don't like," experimenting through internships outside their engineering major to discover fulfilling career paths, and trusting their "gut feeling" to find work that generates more impact. This approach ultimately led to a successful career as a Strategic Partner Manager at YouTube.
Career Exploration, Self-Assessment, Internships, Career Path Identification, Experimentation
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Victor Mello
Strategic Partner Manager
YouTube
Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie in Brazil, 2015
not applicable
Engineering - Electrical
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Technology
Sales and Client Management
International Student, Immigrant
Video Highlights
1. Identify your interests and dislikes early on, even if your major isn't a perfect fit.
2. Actively seek internships and experiences outside your major to explore different career paths.
3. Trust your gut feeling to determine what you enjoy and what aligns with your career goals; this leads to greater fulfillment and impact in your professional life.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
Going back to my first answer, I'd say it's important to quickly identify what you like and what you don't like. Even though I was in a college major I didn't absolutely love, it was crucial for me to figure out what I wanted to get out of that degree and what I didn't.
This process set me up for success. By identifying and experimenting with many things, like pursuing an internship position that wasn't directly related to engineering, I was able to see what I enjoyed and could see myself doing.
Having a bit of gut feeling to quickly identify what resonates with you and what doesn't helps you stay on the right career path. This path will ultimately lead to fulfillment.
Furthermore, it will make you a better professional. I truly believe that if you're doing things you believe in, you'll generate more impact.