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(1/) The four-year undergrad system is great for a lot of career paths. However, for others (especially those interested in startups/tech), it can end up feeling like a waste of time. A thread on how I would approach my first year if I were an incoming freshman 
(2/) Disclaimer: I didn't go through a traditional college path, so I'm obviously biased.
Also, this is based on my pre-COVID college and work experiences. I'm sure that the current circumstance will make most of these tips challenging/impossible to follow.
Also, this is based on my pre-COVID college and work experiences. I'm sure that the current circumstance will make most of these tips challenging/impossible to follow.
(3/) Selecting courses:
Optimize for taking small, discussion-based classes with interesting professors who love to teach. Any class that you could have gotten 70%+ of the value from just reading the textbook or watching lectures is a waste of time.
Optimize for taking small, discussion-based classes with interesting professors who love to teach. Any class that you could have gotten 70%+ of the value from just reading the textbook or watching lectures is a waste of time.
(4/) Meeting professors:
Pretty much every professor I've met is highly ambitious and loves mentoring students. If there's a professor you really admire, consider doing supervised research with them.
Pretty much every professor I've met is highly ambitious and loves mentoring students. If there's a professor you really admire, consider doing supervised research with them.
(5/) Socializing:
Spend a lot of time meeting new people. The college environment makes it so easy to casually meet people who have similar interests and are at the same stage of life. Also, your friends from college will end up being some of your closest friends for life.
Spend a lot of time meeting new people. The college environment makes it so easy to casually meet people who have similar interests and are at the same stage of life. Also, your friends from college will end up being some of your closest friends for life.
(6/) Learning outside of class:
You should spend a significant time outside of class learning an easily marketable skill (e.g. programming, design). For the most part, what you learn in classes doesn't directly translate to real world value.
You should spend a significant time outside of class learning an easily marketable skill (e.g. programming, design). For the most part, what you learn in classes doesn't directly translate to real world value.
(7/) Learning outside of class, pt 2:
Focus on building projects with tangible value. The ideal project is one that you get paid to build. Post regularly on Twitter, write a personal blog, craft a portfolio, etc. to showcase your skills.
Focus on building projects with tangible value. The ideal project is one that you get paid to build. Post regularly on Twitter, write a personal blog, craft a portfolio, etc. to showcase your skills.
(8/) Apply for summer internships:
Through a combination of networking, cold emailing/DMing, and having a killer online presence, land an internship for the following summer. Your first real job will give you a completely different perspective on career and life.
Through a combination of networking, cold emailing/DMing, and having a killer online presence, land an internship for the following summer. Your first real job will give you a completely different perspective on career and life.
(9/) Take a gap year:
While summer internships are great, they don't give the most accurate depiction of what it's like to work in the "real world". One way to secure a full-time job is to work extremely hard during your internship. Aim to outperform your senior co-workers.
While summer internships are great, they don't give the most accurate depiction of what it's like to work in the "real world". One way to secure a full-time job is to work extremely hard during your internship. Aim to outperform your senior co-workers.
(10/) Take a gap year, pt 2:
If you're interested in startups, you could start your own company with a friend or join a promising early stage startup. YC's http://workatastartup.com is a great resource for finding a solid opportunity.
If you're interested in startups, you could start your own company with a friend or join a promising early stage startup. YC's http://workatastartup.com is a great resource for finding a solid opportunity.
(11/) Decide what to do next:
After your gap year, you can decide whether you want to go back to school or continue working. Personally, I chose to keep working, and I haven't looked back.
After your gap year, you can decide whether you want to go back to school or continue working. Personally, I chose to keep working, and I haven't looked back.
(12/) Lastly, if you're a student who's thinking about taking a non-traditional approach to starting their career, feel free to DM me -- would love to chat!
