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Career Goal

For my career goal i want to graduate with good grades and be a CEO i think to do that i need to do hard work as an individual contributor to start. Focus on financial and business acumen, and be vocal about my desire for leadership positions.#Career

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Elizabeth’s Answer

Work your way to the top! If you're goal is to be high up in a large company, and eventually CEO, you will have to work in different jobs, build your resume, and prove that you are fit to be in the position. It's important to treat everyone with respect, work hard no matter the role you are in or you small you think a project might be, you never know who can help you or put in a good word for you down the road so it's always important to do well along the way because in the end it will pay off. Diversify yourself by having a range of different skills so when it does come time to be CEO, you know about different parts of the business and how to do different things, so you can help drive your employees to think about situations in different ways. This all to say, almost always the company you start with right out of school won't be the company you work for your entire life and eventually become and executive or CEO. If a company isn't right for you and you can't see yourself growing long term with them, don't think you are stuck with them forever, there are thousands of other companies out there or even the option to start your own (where you really can be CEO!). I don't suggest moving to new companies every few years, but diversifying the companies you do work for gives you a better background to eventually become CEO one day! I hope you chase your dreams and do get to CEO!
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Dupre’s Answer

Good for you to get good grades and have goals to be a leader!

Just now, as many have said, becoming a CEO can take time and gaining work experience as well as additional education (certifications, MBA, other graduate degrees, etc). CEO's are not created overnight, unless you're the CEO of your own business.

It's also important to think about the saying "be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it." CEO's are expected not only to be leaders of others, but also to make decisions quickly, rely on people around them for advice and information to make good decisions, and be able to take constructive and, often, non-constructive criticism without taking things personally.

CEOs for many companies can be good for a company at certain stages of a company's life - at start up, once a medium sized business, transforming a company from small to medium or medium to large, etc. Not all CEOs are good at all of these.

Dupre recommends the following next steps:

Contact CEOs who are alumni of your school to learn how they got to where they are.
Read about CEOs of various types of companies, particularly in industries which interest you, to see how they got there and how long they stayed.
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Dinesh’s Answer

Hi Eli,

I love your ambition! I agree with the advice to start as an individual contributor and work your way up. The most important thing to do is to build relationships. As an IC, work with people from diverse backgrounds and learn from their experience. This will also help you expand your network, which can, in turn, serve your career advancement.
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Caroline Jayne’s Answer

I salute your tenacity. My best advice would be walk before you run. Take thinks in bite size chunks. If today's focus is on grades than focus solely on this, that said this is also a good time to build up your personal skills so be sure to treat yourself to fun. The emerging talent pool has a new skillset only my generation could have dreamed of but ... there is a lack of interpersonal skills coming through. Be sure to surround yourself in groups, team activities, work experience, parent's dinner parties - Whilst this sounds crazy - These efforts will give you a great hidden skill. In your summer breaks take time to unwind by always consider how might I grow myself? People who succeed in business have lived and have great stories to share. Get yourself an interesting hobby, be a master of it and be able to show your passion. A good CEO is well rounded and grounded, despite having to be ruthless at times. A true leader does not shout about it, this I can promise you. You are often spotted "emerging talent" "top talent" material within a firm. Work hard and be yourself. A true leader in natural, supported by the personal skills you have taught yourself early ! Business Acumen, Finance, Leadership - These are skills that can be taught once you are in practice - sure having a finance or business degree will help you, but do concentrate on you! This advice was given to me and has helped me succeed.
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Paula’s Answer

I agree with the advice provided in this thread. Unless you plan to start and lead your own company, you should look to find an industry and company you are passionate about, start out as an individual contributor and work your way up. Work hard, try out different jobs to gain a better understanding of the various aspects of the business, be a team player, look for projects you can lead, treat people with respect regardless of their position in the company.
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Joe’s Answer

The answers above are spot on for sure. The alternate route of course is to become a CEO today by starting and leading your own company. It may just start as a company of one in your garage or bedroom, but don't underestimate what you can do now by pursing your own passion and harnessing your own talents or the talents of those around you. Starting a business is easy, it only takes 30mins to fill out the official legal forms and apply for a business license in your state. Boom, your a CEO! The important thing is to identify what drives you and how you can turn your passion into a money making endeavor by solving for gaps or reducing friction in the marketplace. Simple example, people want ice cream, an ice cream truck rolls by the house and reduces the friction for the buyer to satisfy their perceived need, you sell the ice cream at a profit and whamo... you are a CEO, CFO, Chief Marking Officer, and maybe a CIO if you develop and publish and app. Good luck!
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JAYSON’s Answer

Wow. That's a fantastic goal. Go for it! I will offer you one advice that has worked for me as my career progressed from being an entry-level individual contributor to a senior director in technology: Always make sure you do well on your current job while keeping an eye on the next one! Good luck to you.
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