Raising Success My Experience / Learnings

Nov 21, 2015 1

What is Success? Has a great spouse Good, well paying job Lives a balanced life

Founder of hot startup

On the straight path CEO of a company Owns a big house 2

Travels the world Doctor Works for a hot company

My Experience

• 4 Children – 2 Boys, 2 Girls; Range: 6 years to 22 years • Some was planned; most I fell into • Success is from Allah • YMMV • Your Mileage May Vary

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Experimented with Mulitple Schools

• • • • • • • • • 4

4 Kids – 8 Schools Challenger Harker Stratford Granada Kennedy Monta Vista – Pressure Silicon Valley Academy Magnolia

Challenger

• • • •

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2 to 3 hours of homework daily Huge mountain to climb for children Lose all self initiative Parent-Child relationship deteriotes

Harker

• • • •

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“Everyone wins” – Adjust classes to get A’s and build confidence Moulds kids to succeed Elitist mentality – look down on others They will be successful – but will not be your child

Granada

• • • •

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Development in a protected environment critical Best balance of Education and Islamic Environment Best friends are Muslim Granada ˃ Monta Vista – Without missing a beat

Technology Trends Software is Eating the World

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Forgotten Examples

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4 years to eclipse Another 4 to eliminate

Tesla Battery Fire

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Software Update to Raise Suspension

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Medical – Ingestible Sensor / Smart Pill

• • • •

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Swallow small pill Attaches to inside of stomach Powered by body heat and fluids Sends continuous signal to phone

Medical – Smart Implants

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Software is Eating this World • Largest Retailer? Operates no stores

- Amazon

• Largest Computing Company? Makes no computers - Amazon • Largest Taxi Company? Owns no taxis

- Uber

• Largest Hotel? Has no real estate

- AirBNB

• Largest Media Company? Creates no content

- Facebook

• Largest Communication Company? Sells no phones

- WhatsApp

• These are all Software Companies 14

So you want to Eat or Be Eatten? How to Succeed

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Helicoptering

• Would you leave a fresh graduate in your company to do anything they want?

• • • • •

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Absolutely a must The most important years: 10th, 11th, 12th, 1st YC, 2nd YC You must guide, you must help select courses You must know your children’s friends Dorms are the worst

Learn How to Develop Software

• No matter what profession you intend to go into, make sure you • • •

Take Calculus classes – to teach you how to think Abstractly Take a Software Development Class Develop Apps

• Today Computer Science / Software Engineering has the highest potential

• •

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Jobs are exploding Star ting salaries are exceptionally high – double of any other profession

Pick Right – 5% Professions versus 95% Professions

• 5% Professions = •

5% of the people who graduate in that profession will do very well

• 95% Professions = •

95% of the people who graduate in that profession will do very well

• If you are Super Smart – then you can choose any profession •

Super Smar t = Have perfect stores in SAT / ACT

• If you are not, best to choose 95% Professions 18

Majors to be Careful About (for the 95%)

• Biology / Micro Biology / Neuroscience • • •

BS in these = useless PhD / MD required to succeed Must have focus and long-term committment

• Bio Engineering – • •

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Instead do BS in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering Then do MS in Bio Engineering

Majors to be Careful About (for the 95%)

• Journalism / Writer • •

User Generated Content is replacing Journalism Most press ar ticles written in India now

• Law School •

Over supply

• Economics / Business / Marketing / Finance •

Unless you are in the 5%, or have a special ability

• History / English Literature / Psychology / … • 20

And do what?

Internships

• You must be working every summer from 9th Grade onwards • Office environment – not in McDonalds • Best sources of Internships in early years – Parents’ friends who run companies

• Most important Internship • •

Between Junior and Senior Year in College Job Offers on Last Day – to Star t 1 Year Later

• Apply for Internships in November of previous Year 21

Online Breadcrumbs

• Your name WILL BE Googled and Facebook profile checked • • • • •

By College Admission Officers By Hiring Managers and Recruiters By Coworkers By people you do Business with By your future spouse

• Write Blogs – Few times a year •

Topics that interest you

• Amazon < Internship < Phone Interview < Google < Blog 22

Street Smart

• Best way to buy / sell on eBay or Craigslist •

Your home is full of junk you can sell

• Teaches you: Sales, Marketing, Pricing,Talking to Customers, Negotiating, Value of Time,Value of Money, …

• Start in 9th or 10th Grade • Excellent Pathway to Entrepreunership

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No Debt

• Student Debt = Handcuffs • Get Bachelors Degree with Zero Debt – No Student Loans • “Go Public” • •

2 Years in Community College (e.g., De Anza) 2 Years in UC

• Only “Go Private” or Get Student Loans for Masters or MBA

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Networking & Mentors

• Send them to events • Talk to others (especially older and more experienced) • Utilize mentors (Everyone is willing to help – you just have to ask)

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Summary

• Software is Eating the World •

Learn / Experiment / Develop – regardless of your major

• Success = • • • • • • • 26

Helicoptering Pick Right Major / Profession Get Internships Leave Online Breadcrumbs Become Street Smar t No Debt Network & Develop Mentors