Ivy League MBA ⟹ Career Launch in Big Tech: NOT My Story

Every little second grade girl who dreams of going to college wishes for a successful version of: “Ivy League MBA ⟹ Career Launch in Big Tech.” Albeit, the best laid plans often go awry.

Carami Olsen

Every little second grade girl who dreams of going to college wishes for a successful version of the above title, “Ivy League MBA ⟹ Career Launch in Big Tech.” It goes something like this: a dream of attending her desired college, then catapulting into a successful industry, and next building her perfect career path into her 30’s. Doing all of this on schedule only to retire early with enough stock earnings to sit around the lake house during her Second Half gazing at dragon flies through her 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and beyond. All sounds so realistic right?

Successful young business founders trend similar versions of “Ivy League MBA ⟹ Career Launch in Big Tech.” These impeccably orchestrated plans are related when speaking of their backstory. Their successful startup narratives are shared in podcasts and articles where they describe how they’ve gathered capital from friends in high places and are able to hit home runs on their entrepreneurial ideas. “Ivy League MBA ⟹ Career Launch in Big Tech” seems to be the formula in the successful startup business circle. For an average girl like me, it’s hard to swallow and follow. The best laid plans often go awry right? Opportunities are skewed, left turns are forced, little girls’ dreams are tweaked. I think more people fall in the category of “NOT My Story” than “Ivy League MBA ⟹ Career Launch in Big Tech,” and guess what, we are all either way, kicking hard life’s tail with our own successes using our own methods! 

Quick Snippet of My Story

Shortly after graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1999, I remember sitting next to a sensationally swanky marketing lady on an airplane. She worked for some well known company, I think General Mills, representing the Betty Crocker or Pillsbury brand, if I recall correctly. She was professionally dressed, polished, cool and collected. This chic woman shared with me that she flew around the country for work engagements and that she loved her job. I told myself right then and there, that’s what I wanted to do. I knew I was capable. That being said, my next life decisions pivoted me far away from that highfalutin corporate lifestyle and I never became that sensational swanky marketing lady. Over the next ten years, life went on to award me the experience of running a small record label and start up marketing firm with my then husband. In the midst, I had three beautiful children and focused on “feeding and watering them” as Grandma Shela would say. I knew that for me, investing time and energy into my children’s well being was the most important way I could spend those years. That posh career of flying around the country and rubbing shoulders in established brand corporate society took a back seat. That career has always been sitting on a shelf up high, looking down at me saying, “what if?”

The Other Million

To all those MBA graduates, big techies or wall streeters who went on to start their own thing, you’re one in a million and huge congrats to you. Your stories get traction in the media, as they should. You beat everyone out, you figure out the American dream formula, you worked your tail off and sacrificed time with loved ones to gain what you treasure. But if you are the one, then what about the other million? Where did they go and where did they end up? They didn’t get accepted, they didn’t have a trust fund, they spent their twenties caring for a sick relative, they worked two jobs and went to night school to accomplish their education goals. The other million had a life altering accident, took on an unplanned baby, biological or otherwise, they made life decisions based on family customs or they made decisions to please others. The other million didn’t have a college gap year to backpack through Europe at 19-years-old. The other million simply made different choices, many of which were circumstantial. Heading into their Second Half, the other million have figured out their version of the American dream formula. They have worked their tail off and sacrificed to gain their treasure of knowledge and a full heart. 

Without a trust fund, my leg up has been my community. Especially in these latter years. My friends, family, business network, and coworkers have been rooting me on and supporting me through change, big ideas, and roadblocks as I plunge into my Second Half. When I mention that I’m working on a new idea or project my people light up and respond, “Tell me all about it!” They don’t say I’m crazy or that it will never work. They always say, “do it girl!” My relationship with my community has been my fuel. Some are closer and some are distant, but I can feel their bolstering energy. Their support and faith in my ability is priceless. 

In this regard, I feel it’s a benefit that I am starting on a big project in my Second Half.* My relationships are long and woven strong. My people have been able to experience my true character and real intentions for so many years. I guess by now they would know if I was faking it. I’m fortunate to be taking on new challenges and endeavors in my Second Half because my people know me. And that is what gets me through my weeks right now as I hit roadblocks with my new project. Thank you to my community - you know who you are. 

I graduated with an MBA from an Ivy League and started working for Big Tech is NOT my story. Do I wish it was my story? Earning a bachelor’s in Communication Studies with a Minor in Marketing from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas was definitely a pivot from the Ivy League I dreamed about as a little girl. My state school was the college opportunity that fit realistically into my life. And hey - I also earned a master’s degree eleven years after earning my bachelor’s, single, with three kids in tow. I’m so proud of both times I pushed through college! I may or may not ever be a sensational swanky marketing lady, but that career doesn’t look down on me from the top shelf anymore. I have risen above it. I am so proud of where I’ve been and where I am headed in my Second Half.  

💙Carami

*Stay tuned for more on the project I am working on…it’s taking some time to develop but it is going to be sensational and maybe even help us all be a little bit swanky!!

Let’s interact: What is a dream/goal/plan that has taken a back seat or been put on a shelf for you? Leave a comment below!