Philadelphia COO Says Education Stacks Odds In Your Favor When Seeking A Position In The Technology Field
Technology is constantly changing and careers in the field are in demand, so it's important to stay on top of this ever-changing market. Jake Stein, COO and co-founder of RJMetrics, says work experience and a positive interview are always a plus, but a formal education in the technology field will give you better odds.
What sort of education is needed to successfully do your job?
"There isn't a specific major or degree that you need in order to do my job, but there are a lot of things that I learned in school and that I draw on regularly. Critical reading and writing skills are the most important things that I learned in school. These skills allow me to communicate with customers, vendors, investors and our team. An understanding of technology is also really important to do my job successfully."
Do you believe education plays a vital role in landing a great job in the technology field?
"Yes, especially for people early in their careers. We have hired a handful of people who either didn't have a college degree or have a degree in a field that is unrelated to the job they were seeking. In each case, they demonstrated their expertise and work ethic through past work experience and the interview process. It's possible to succeed without it, but education stacks the odds in your favor."
What is the most relevant aspect of your education that applies to your day-to-day job?
"I took a class called 'Enabling Technologies' at Penn, and that has turned out to be the most relevant aspect of my education for my job. The class explored the interplay between business and new technology, and it helped explain how new technology changes the competitive dynamics in different industries."
What is the most fun aspect of your job?
"The people I get to work with. I have a tremendous group of coworkers who are smart, motivated, honest, kind and hilarious."
Christina Thompson is a freelance travel writer living in Philadelphia. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
