I generally prefer to hire super-smart Scientists, Technologists, Engineers and Mathematicians (STEM). Start-ups are all about having and then implementing great ideas - not just one “big idea” but hundreds of innovations, deployed in rapid iterations to create real competitive advantage and customer value. Entrenched players usually have bigger brands and deeper pockets, so a start-up needs to use intellect and hard work to win. I’ve found STEM graduates are well-prepared for the hard work and intellectual rigor of growing a startup.
Two years ago, however, I hired a Philosophy major. As it turns out, it could not have worked out better. Our resident Philosophy major was no stranger to hard work and analytical rigor.
My secret’s out of the bag: Maybe I’m on to a start-up hiring trend. Samidh Chakrabarti points out that several entrepreneurs I respect have Philosophy degrees, including Amol Sarva (Peek), Ken Reisman (TLists), Damon Horowitz (Aardvark), Patrick Byrne (Overstock), Josh Snyder (Treeline Labs), and Chris Dixon (Hunch). I can’t help but agree that students of Philosophy have many of the characteristics needed to succeed in an entrepreneurial environment. It’s great to see that these philosophical founders have already blazed a path. Maybe they can teach me a thing or two about where to find talent that has the desire, discipline and drive to start a company one day.
Therefore, this year, as we look for top new graduates to join our teams, we’ll be interviewing Philosophy majors in addition to the usual Science, Technology, Engineering and Math majors.
Two years ago, however, I hired a Philosophy major. As it turns out, it could not have worked out better. Our resident Philosophy major was no stranger to hard work and analytical rigor.
My secret’s out of the bag: Maybe I’m on to a start-up hiring trend. Samidh Chakrabarti points out that several entrepreneurs I respect have Philosophy degrees, including Amol Sarva (Peek), Ken Reisman (TLists), Damon Horowitz (Aardvark), Patrick Byrne (Overstock), Josh Snyder (Treeline Labs), and Chris Dixon (Hunch). I can’t help but agree that students of Philosophy have many of the characteristics needed to succeed in an entrepreneurial environment. It’s great to see that these philosophical founders have already blazed a path. Maybe they can teach me a thing or two about where to find talent that has the desire, discipline and drive to start a company one day.
Therefore, this year, as we look for top new graduates to join our teams, we’ll be interviewing Philosophy majors in addition to the usual Science, Technology, Engineering and Math majors.
BTW: If you’re about to graduate from a top school with a STEMP degree, and would like to try your hand in the entrepreneurial world, please call me or email me your resume.
You are right; philosophy requires a certain amount of rigor when approaching an idea. The study of philosophy can fit well in a technology-startup environment. More than likely there will be plenty of new ideas that have to be thought out.
But, I’ll bet philosophy majors are just like economics majors. In economics, some people learn ways to approach problems. Others just learn a stale body of previous thinking. If the philosophy major learned how to approach an idea, there should be a good fit.
Posted by: The Hedged Economist | March 20, 2010 at 02:41 PM