Silicon Valley Leaders Share Career Advice They Wish They Knew at 20
Hundreds of Bay Area interns gathered at Internapalooza, a premier recruiting event, to hear tech luminaries reflect on the lessons they wish they had known in their early careers. The event featured insights from some of Silicon Valley’s most influential figures, offering invaluable guidance for the next generation of innovators.
Key Takeaways from Tech Visionaries
Prominent speakers included:
- Mike Krieger, Instagram co-founder
- Max Levchin, PayPal co-founder
- Kevin Hartz, Eventbrite co-founder
- Keith Rabois, early investor in PayPal and Airbnb
- Danae Ringelmann, Indiegogo co-founder
- Michael Stoppelman, Yelp VP of Engineering
- Kara Swisher, Re/code founder
Organized by Cory Levy, co-founder of the social app One, the event drew approximately 2,000 interns, with discussions covering everything from startup founding to effective networking strategies.
Max Levchin’s Pivotal Intern Story
Levchin shared an inspiring anecdote about a PayPal intern who developed IGOR, an anti-fraud system that saved the company from collapse due to rampant credit card fraud. Tragically, the intern passed away shortly after from diabetes complications, but his contribution was instrumental in PayPal’s survival.
“If you’re going to be an intern somewhere, you can and you should try to pick a place where you can make an impact,” Levchin emphasized.
Kara Swisher’s Unfiltered Advice
Swisher, a crowd favorite, delivered candid advice with humor and wit. Quoting from the app Secret, she told interns:
“Have fun—home is where the pants aren’t.”
She encouraged attendees to balance ambition with enjoyment, quipping, “Never turn down an opportunity to have sex or go on television.”
Event Highlights and Attendee Insights
- Demographics: Over half of attendees were computer science majors, with 80% studying engineering-related fields.
- Gender Representation: Only one-third of registrants were female, sparking discussions about diversity in tech.
- Startup Ambitions: A survey revealed that 40% of interns would consider dropping out of school to launch a startup, while another 20% were undecided.
Addressing Gender Disparity in Tech
During a Q&A, a young woman asked for advice on breaking into the male-dominated industry. Swisher didn’t mince words:
“It’s a sausage fest out there, ladies—and not in a good way.”
Michael Callahan, Levy’s co-founder at One, suggested ignoring gender barriers, while Swisher countered, urging men to take responsibility for fostering inclusivity. Levchin closed the discussion by encouraging women to “keep kicking ass and focusing on being great.”
Final Thoughts
For many interns, the event was a rare opportunity to gain wisdom from leaders who’ve shaped the tech landscape. Whether debating startup risks or navigating career challenges, the insights shared underscored the importance of resilience, impact, and authenticity in the fast-paced world of technology.
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