Imagine going to work where there's foosball in the lounge and the dress code is "come dressed." This lifestyle, along with other perks, is attracting more and more recent graduates, including University students, to the Silicon Valley.
Geraldine Colglazier, a 1998 College graduate, who began her first job at Ernst and Young, a worldwide consulting firm, recently made the move out west.
"I had a good experience at E and Y, there was a lot of variety within the e-commerce division that I was in," she said.
But despite the advantages of working in a more established firm, Colglazier was looking for something different.
Partly because of the amount of travel associated with consulting, she decided to make the switch to Electron Economy, a commerce enabler that works with both traditional companies and e-businesses.
"I was looking for a job that wouldn't require me to be away five days out of the week."
She also attributed her career switch to the fact that the top consulting firms have been unable to grab the e-commerce market.
|
"They simply do not have the background to consult," she said. "I wanted to have more experience [and] this is where all the technology is going."
Ted Blake, one of her classmates, left his job at one of the largest international banks to work at Kestrel Solutions, a telecommunications equipment manufacturer, in the Silicon Valley.
Blake worked for the brokerage firm Alex. Brown - now Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown - in the investment banking division. Kestrel Solutions was one of Alex. Brown's clients.
Blake credits his experience at his old job with making his transition into the tech world easier.
"I learned so much about the financial markets and how to work closely with the CEOs and CFOs of these up-and-coming companies," he said.
Blake decided to switch to Kestrel Solutions when he saw an influx of weak dot-coms at the beginning of last year.
"When Kestrel came along, it was a welcome change from trying to do deals for companies that tried to tell us they could make huge amounts of money selling furniture or vitamins over the Internet," he said.
In addition to the career opportunities in Silicon Valley, both Blake and Colglazier said they are enjoying their new work environment.
"It's basically a super-relaxed environment, but most importantly, it's not very hierarchical," Colglazier said.
"What matters here is your output, not how much your tie costs," Blake said.
Blake has also noticed a difference in the attitude of the upper management.
"If I think we are messing up, I can walk straight into the office of the CFO, CEO, or VP of Corporate Development and tell them why they are wrong or why someone else is wrong," Blake said. "As long as I back up my point with reason and facts, they listen to you every time."
Compared to Colglazier's last job, Electron Economy is a significantly smaller with only about 150 employees.
"There is a lot of risk, but the potential for reward is great - if you go to a more established [firm], you have to work harder to get your foot in the door."
Often job seekers are willing to take risks in exchange for the potential pay off.
"I knew that if Kestrel made it big and I didn't take a chance and go work for them, I'd be kicking myself for the rest of my life," Blake said.
But Tom Fitch, director of career services at the Commerce School, advises students to do their research before choosing any job, but in particular those in the Silicon Valley.
"Because these companies haven't been around as long as others, students need to research them by networking and talking to faculty," he said. "The lifestyle is quite different, so the student needs to make sure it matches their lifestyle requirements."
One good way to learn about life in Silicon Valley is to intern there.
Jeff Dunn, a fourth-year Commerce student, interned this summer at Integral Capital Partners, a venture capital firm.
"My experience was amazing," Dunn said. "I learned an incredible amount about new emerging technologies and I was able to meet the people and companies behind them."
Dunn said he plans on returning to Silicon Valley after he graduates.
"The quality of life in northern California has to be one of the best in the world," he said. "Everyone I met worked hard, loved their job, made lots of money, and always found time to enjoy themselves. I love the fast paced and innovative energy of the area."
Commerce professor Ryan Nelson said he is cautiously optimistic about job prospects in Silicon Valley.
"The outlook for dot-com employment will continue to be strong for the foreseeable future," Nelson said. "However, it will be an extremely turbulent environment with a lot of chutes and ladders."
"Workers in this field need to be prepared to change jobs and move at the drop of a hat," Nelson warned.
"If I had to do it all over, I'd go to a dot-com first, and then come back to a more traditional company," Colglazier said. "Right now, there's no other place where at such a young age you can have so much responsibility. You can also get a pretty big pay off if things go right"
Read More
Student Council passes appointment bill, approves new CIOs at final meeting of semester
By Arshiya Pant | 3 hours agoMendoza Gonzalez also said she will be meeting with Kenyon R. Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer, to discuss further strategies for the Student Council Endowment Fund.
Professors speak about leading productive dialogue on Israel-Hamas war
By Lexie Stadler | 23 hours agoThe event was hosted by the University’s Task Force on Religious Diversity and Belonging, which is designed to ensure that the University is welcoming to community members from all religions and cultures.
Honor Committee considers formal ban of AI detectors as evidence in trials
By Lexie Stadler | 2 days agoThe Committee also addressed balancing student perspectives with those of Committee representatives during panel discussions.
