How to get ahead in your 20's

Summary

In this compelling video, Roy shares his unexpected journey from aspiring investment banker to tech entrepreneur. Rejecting the traditional Ivy League path, he recounts his experiences in community college and the valuable life lessons learned outside academia. Roy emphasizes the importance of risk-taking and aiming for big, ambitious goals, revealing how taking chances led to his success. He underscores the concept of ‘asymmetric outcomes,’ showing how small efforts can yield huge rewards, and highlights the role of luck in seizing opportunities, with personal anecdotes of entrepreneurial struggles and breakthroughs.

Takeaways

• 😀 College can sometimes mold you into following the conventional path rather than encouraging independent thinking and risk-taking.
• 😀 Aiming for prestige and a 'safe' career path can limit your potential; it's important to aim for big, unconventional goals.
• 😀 Taking risks is key to achieving big success and memorable experiences. The most memorable moments are those where you took a chance.
• 😀 Don't be afraid to step back or take time off from college if it helps you find clarity and a better path forward.
• 😀 College often attracts people who follow established paths, rather than those who think outside the box and aim for bigger outcomes.
• 😀 Sometimes, luck plays a huge role in success, and the best way to get lucky is to put yourself in positions where luck can find you.
• 😀 Rejection doesn’t always mean failure; sometimes taking unconventional actions (like replying to a rejection email) can lead to unexpected opportunities.
• 😀 Surrounding yourself with like-minded, ambitious people is crucial for achieving success and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
• 😀 The journey to success often involves failing multiple times, experimenting with different approaches, and learning as you go.
• 😀 Success can come from unexpected sources. Even when things seem to fail, like a marketing campaign flopping, it may only take one person to change everything.
• 😀 Luck is often about taking risks, trying unconventional paths, and continuously putting yourself in positions to succeed, regardless of setbacks.

Q & A

Why does the speaker feel that college was a waste of time?

The speaker believes that college, particularly elite institutions like Harvard, focuses too much on preparing students for prestigious careers like finance, medicine, and law, rather than encouraging creativity, risk-taking, and entrepreneurial thinking. The speaker feels that this mold restricts ambition and true personal growth.

How did the speaker's path differ from their original plans?

Initially, the speaker aspired to be an investment banker, attending Harvard to achieve that goal. However, they didn’t end up going to Harvard, spent time learning programming, went to community college, and later transferred to Columbia. Eventually, they built a successful company from a weekend project.

What is the speaker’s opinion on the people they met at Columbia?

The speaker was disappointed by the lack of ambition among their peers at Columbia, noting that most students were focused on traditional career paths like consulting and investment banking, rather than thinking outside the box or pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.

What lesson does the speaker draw from their experience at Columbia?

The speaker concludes that attending a prestigious college can limit your thinking, as you are surrounded by people who are more focused on maintaining prestige than seeking big, unconventional outcomes. They advise taking time off from college to gain clarity and independence of thought.

Why does the speaker advocate for taking risks?

The speaker emphasizes that the most memorable and rewarding experiences come from taking risks, as there is often a huge disparity between the effort put into something and the potential rewards. They believe that aiming for large, ambitious goals is far more fulfilling than incremental, safe wins.

What does the speaker say about success and luck?

The speaker believes that success often comes down to being in the right place at the right time, or getting lucky. They emphasize that most successful people are just ordinary individuals who got lucky, and this luck can come from taking risks and putting oneself in positions to succeed.

How did the speaker get their first internship at Nucleus Genomics?

The speaker got the internship by DMing the CEO of Nucleus Genomics directly after seeing a tweet about an internship opportunity. Even though they were rejected, they responded to the rejection email offering to work for free, which eventually led to them getting the job and even getting paid.

What was the speaker’s experience with their first company, Interview Coder?

Interview Coder, a project the speaker worked on during their time in college, initially failed to gain traction. After several unsuccessful attempts, including spending money on influencer marketing, the project gained momentum when a popular influencer reposted it, eventually leading to a viral success.

What is the speaker’s perspective on the value of formal education?

The speaker argues that formal education, especially in prestigious colleges, does not teach the critical skills needed for entrepreneurship or risk-taking. They suggest that college trains students to follow pre-set paths that may not lead to fulfilling or high-impact careers.

What advice does the speaker give to those considering college?

The speaker advises those considering college to take time off and explore the world independently. They believe that time away from the pressures of college will allow people to gain clarity and pursue their own ambitious goals without being influenced by the narrow thinking that often pervades elite institutions.