Karim Rajmohamed '20 | Macungie, PA Major | Mechanical Engineering
Minor | Computer Science
This trip will be one of my most memorable college experiences! Through LSV2020 I have met amazingly successful entrepreneurs, VC’s, lawyers, and other relevant parties who can help guide me as I continue to navigate through my post college years. Upon reflection, three main takeaways I have observed are the true value of quality mentorship, the willingful embrace of failure, and the dichotomy of east/west coast business practices.
Everybody in Silicon Valley who has made it far did so with the help of a mentor/s. I hope to start building critical mentor relationships as soon as possible with some of the individuals whom we interacted with. I used to think that mentorship is a one-way relationship, but this has been challenged on the trip. Many of the successful people we had a chance to talk with claimed that they learn just as much as the individuals whom they mentor when establishing a relationship.
Failure is just as important, if not more, than success in Silicon Valley. Paul Martino, a prominent VC and founder of Bullpen Capital told us that his first major failures are what allowed him to be recognized around the Valley. People in this area are not scared of failure, and are extremely resilient when it does occur. Failure can teach us more than success.
There is a major observable dichotomy between the cultural and practices on the east and west coasts. On the east coast, we maintain a strong sense of legacy and traditional practices. The west coast has no attachment to traditions. If you can work hard, you can prove yourself on the west coast. Both coasts produce equal results and are good places to work, but are very different on their philosophies of operation.