San Francisco CEO Advises Tech Students To Gravitate To Great Projects
Bret Taylor didn't enter a Bay Area university as a computer science major, but the tech world owes an immeasurable degree of gratitude for changing his career path. The co-founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Quip, Taylor has had a very successful career as a computer scientists thus far, whose extraordinary resume includes CTO of Facebook for three years and co-creator of Google Maps and Google Maps API. Taking valuable time away from his family and executive role, he spent a few moments to offer expert advice to students interested in a rewarding career in computer science.
What is your background and level of education?
"I was born and raised in Oakland, California. I have a B.S. and M.S. in Computer Science from Stanford University."
How has your education helped you in your current position?
"Stanford is where I discovered computer science. I went in wanting to be a lawyer and I came out a computer scientist."
"I think most of the classes you take in college are the same no matter what university you attend, but Stanford's culture was unique outside of the classroom. Silicon Valley's influence on Stanford has had a huge impact on my life — from the major I chose in college to the people I ended up working with later in my career. I met the co-founders of both my previous and my current company at Stanford as an undergraduate."
What career advice can you share to people interested in a management position?
"Gravitate towards great projects, great teams, and great companies, even if it at the expense of your title in the short-term. It is much more satisfying to play a small part in a project that has a big impact than it is to lead an inconsequential project. Great teams usually have great people who can serve as mentors, and you'll learn much better management lessons than you will on weaker teams."
Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com Examiner.com.