Unleashing Your Potential: Dropbox Exec’s Essential OAdvice for Entering the Tech World
In a rapidly evolving tech landscape, standing out as a job seeker can be a daunting challenge. Morgan Brown, Dropbox’s VP of Product and Growth, offers invaluable insights to aspiring tech professionals that go far beyond traditional advice. While many in the industry advocate for acquiring basic technical skills, Brown emphasizes the importance of a powerful mantra: “Show your work.”
The Art of Showcasing Your Skills
In a recent interview with Business Insider, Brown passionately stated, “Publish your stuff, publish your thinking. Build the apps, build the websites.” This advice is especially crucial in today’s AI-driven age, where endless free tools and online courses are at your fingertips. All you need is a smartphone and an internet connection, and you’re well-equipped to start creating.
Seizing Opportunities Without Formal Credentials
Brown asserts that aspiring professionals have unprecedented opportunities to showcase their skills, regardless of formal credentials. He highlights the reality that, “no one’s paying any attention,” allowing individuals to experiment and learn through practice. This hands-on approach enables them to accumulate a portfolio that can attract attention down the line. “You can learn by doing,” Brown advises, underscoring the process of evolving your work into something noteworthy.
Embracing a Non-Traditional Path
Brown’s own journey is a testament to the power of perseverance. Despite his extensive experience at Facebook, Instagram, and Shopify, he did not follow a conventional trajectory into Big Tech. In fact, he overcame significant challenges to earn his degree years after initially leaving college.
“I was a biology major, you know, I failed out of college. It took me 20 years to get my degree,” Brown shared candidly. His journey began during the dot-com boom, where he landed a job in data operations. This role set the stage for his self-education in digital marketing and product development.
Learning Through Experience
Brown recalls how he became a self-taught digital marketer, navigating the complexities of web traffic generation and search engine optimization. His self-driven education eventually led him to build websites and launch digital products. “I learned what I know now at the school of hard knocks,” he noted, a phrase that perfectly encapsulates his journey through trial, error, and eventual success.
Publishing Your Work: A Game Changer
What truly set Brown apart was his commitment to putting his insights and creations into the public domain. He co-authored the acclaimed book Hacking Growth, a pivotal guide for driving business expansion through innovative strategies. “There’s nothing stopping anyone from publishing and showing their work,” he emphasized, encouraging budding professionals to harness the power of visibility.
Ultimately, as Brown so eloquently puts it, “The more people that do that, that’s where good stuff happens.” This sentiment resonates deeply in today’s connected world, where authenticity and initiative can propel careers to new heights.
