What happens to the "B & C" students of the Bay Area?

[clongirl]

Upper management jobs are about experience and networking---not what school you went to. It's absolutely possible to go to a CSU or something similar and be just as successful as the next guy.

My husband is a senior director and didn't attend a "b/C" school. He attended college in another country and got a teaching degree. Later---much later--after working his way up the tech ladder he got an MBA. He learned most computer/tech applications on his own and on the job. Mind you, he's incredibly intelligent and was very ambitious.

So not only do you not need to attend a top tier school like Harvard/Stanford to get anywhere in the tech field (which is VAST and not limited to engineering or computer science types), you can work your way up the ladder in the tech field. Does this answer your question?

I have a friend for instance, that works for Apple as a technical program manager. She attended St Mary's College (not an Ivy League) and did not study tech related fields, but finance. If you need more data, you might peruse LinkedIn if possible, to actually see for yourself what type of schools/experience people have prior to becoming a C level manager/VP/upper level positions. I also know from some experience that many CEO's/CFO's/COO's.CEO's/CRO's...have not actually attended Ivy Leagues. At this level, what college you attended is entirely irrelevant. I've looked around a bit at some of the 'C' level folks at my husband's previous companies and that information if not even listed on their bios---just the work experience. Keep in mind, as we all try to answer your questions ...really good communication is also a factor in getting a leg up in the industry. Hope this helps a bit.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by WithDisp

I'm not much closer to an answer.

I wish I were more specific- as when I talk about B and C students, perhaps I'm more in line with their high school grades- implying their college choices are limited to the B and C track, as some have alluded to on here.

It still appears from the data the majority of alumni are from top tier schools.

I get the networking aspect- but is a degree in a field unrelated to technology from a B/C school really going to get someone a management job at some of these agencies?

I don't see anyone starting off as a manager fresh out of college, regardless of the college. You need to build your experience first unless it's a manager in training program. Also, you can be a B student and have Black skin and be accepted to some colleges like UC Berkeley.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

I don't see anyone starting off as a manager fresh out of college, regardless of the college. You need to build your experience first unless it's a manager in training program. Also, you can be a B student and have Black skin and be accepted to some colleges like UC Berkeley.

No you can't. Berkeley rejects almost everyone. Even black students with good grades and test scores. Or gives them spring semester admission. The UC system grants guaranteed admission to at least one campus if you are in the top 5-10% at your school to encourage economic diversity. Berkeley doesn't have many of these slots.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by simboticus

Amazon may have hired a bunch of MBA's from a top school, doesn't me they will last or be successful long term.

Quality people come from many walks of life, the cream will usually (eventually) rise to the top.

There's some truth to this. I've seen people with Harvard and Yale skate into academic jobs, but once they're in, they fizzle. One made no effort at all to meet the requirements for getting tenure, and was canned (she didn't even show up for some of her classes, let alone publish anything). Another one snoozed through his career after he got tenure. Employers expect this type of hire to be their star scholars, but in the past, it's turned out to be the opposite, in some cases.

Amazon hires a lot of UW graduates. Is that a "top school"? I was surprised recently to read that it's considered a "public Ivy", like Berkeley. I don't know when or how it achieved that status, but it's a far cry from Berkeley, IMO.

[silverkris]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Amazon hires a lot of UW graduates. Is that a "top school"? I was surprised recently to read that it's considered a "public Ivy", like Berkeley. I don't know when or how it achieved that status, but it's a far cry from Berkeley, IMO.

Well, it's not surprising given that UW's location near Amazon's headquarters. Why not?

[ssmaster]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

There's some truth to this. I've seen people with Harvard and Yale skate into academic jobs, but once they're in, they fizzle. One made no effort at all to meet the requirements for getting tenure, and was canned (she didn't even show up for some of her classes, let alone publish anything). Another one snoozed through his career after he got tenure. Employers expect this type of hire to be their star scholars, but in the past, it's turned out to be the opposite, in some cases.

Amazon hires a lot of UW graduates. Is that a "top school"? I was surprised recently to read that it's considered a "public Ivy", like Berkeley. I don't know when or how it achieved that status, but it's a far cry from Berkeley, IMO.

Microsoft endowed a crap load of money in the 90's and 00's and the school recruited top level professors from other schools and voila!!
One of the best C.S programs in the country

[WizardOfRadical]

Originally Posted by bmw335xi

I don't see anyone starting off as a manager fresh out of college, regardless of the college. You need to build your experience first unless it's a manager in training program. Also, you can be a B student and have Black skin and be accepted to some colleges like UC Berkeley.

UC's do not have race based acceptence. It is against California law.


Once again, your Briebart/Milo inspired alt facts, are simply myth.

You clearly are not a California native.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by silverkris

Well, it's not surprising given that UW's location near Amazon's headquarters. Why not?

Exactly. They hire local talent.