On Thursday, March 19, NY Ephs gathered for breakfast at the Williams Club to hear from Omri Bloch ‘04 and Casey Gibbons ‘06 discuss their careers in tech. Omri is Chief Operating Officer of Bounce Exchange, and Casey is Co-Founder of Maki Fund. Here are our 5 key takeaways from the conversation:
1. There are plenty of opportunities for non-developers in the tech world.
Companies that specialize in technology are still companies, and they need the same support teams that other businesses need - marketing, operations, business development, human resources, etc. In other words, even if you are not a programmer, there are plenty of opportunities for you to have a successful career in the technology space.
2. With no previous experience, you can still impress the hiring manager.
You don’t need to have deep experience in the tech world for an entry-level position. However, it’s imperative that you demonstrate a genuine curiosity in the industry and an ability to think critically. Prove out that curiosity by talking to people in the tech space - you might not have any work experience, but your interviewer is more likely to believe you are interested if you have done your homework.
3. The idea is only 10% of a company’s success.
The other 90% comes from flawless execution. Uber and Slack are both exciting new tech companies that are changing the way we operate through new and innovative business models, but the real reason they are booming is because they made the best possible product for a small market, and only expanded when they perfected the solution for a small group.
4. We should encourage entrepreneurship in education.
Omri and Casey both agreed that an increased focus on entrepreneurship may help college students graduate with a better idea of what they want to do next. Climbing the corporate ladder is just one of many ways to move forward after college.
5. It’s an exciting time to be in tech.
The time it takes to build a prototype is constantly shrinking, which helps good ideas launch quickly. And now that everyone carries mini-computers in their pockets, there are endless possibilities for apps and other technological innovations.
Thank you to Omri and Casey for the insights!
Check out the gallery for photos from this event and tag yourselves on Facebook!
This is the first in a series of NY Ephs Career Breakfasts that will bring alumni together around a specific industry or topic. The April breakfast will focus on Storytelling. For more information, please contact nyephs@gmail.com.
