Date: September 3rd, 2020

Subject: The Future of a Business Major: Wall Street vs. Silicon Valley

MLA Citation:

Lennon, Maxwell. “Silicon Valley Vs. Wall Street: What Tech Talent Should Know.” GQR, 12 Mar. 2018, www.gqrgm.com/silicon-valley-vs-wall-street-what-tech-talent-should-know/.

Through the Independent Study & Mentorship Program last year, I was truly fortunate to have pursued social entrepreneurship. In addition to opening a realm of new opportunities within which my efforts resulted in a positive impact to those around me, my mentorship in social entrepreneurship the past year also taught me numerous soft skills; however, I believe the most important skill that I have garnered from my entrepreneurial journey thus far has been visioning. Through this skill, I have developed a progressive mindset that has permitted me to envision and plan my future to take the necessary steps to get to this desired destination.

Since I am high school senior, my immediate future holds my further education through attending college. Since my desired career track requires a rigorous college education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the fields of business administration and economics, as well as a strong set of connections with professionals through networking events and internships, I am wanting to attend a top university in a populous area (New York, Philadelphia, California) so as to not only to obtain a prestigious education but establish a preliminary set of connections. After the completion of my undergraduate and graduate degrees, I plan on either entering the world of entrepreneurship or the world of finance. Where the world of entrepreneurship will expose me to impactful ideas, innovation, and personal relationships with my partners, the world of finance will satisfy my inner love for mathematics, introduce me to the exciting nature of the stock market, and meet my desire for professionalism. And that is why my research into Silicon Valley vs. Wall Street was vital, as it will help me better comprehend what my future holds.

As a young enthusiast of the financial world, Wall Street has always been to go-to answer when someone has asked what I want to do in the future. Besides the prestige of working for one of the financial institutions on Wall Street, I believe the culture fits my personality. As a young entrepreneur, I have developed a very professional attitude which thrives on competitiveness, progressive-thinking, and risk-taking. With the intensive work environment of Wall Street, I believe that this path for my future is highly beneficial. However, many companies on Wall Street are notorious for their “long working hours” as compared to the “fun working environment” of companies in Silicon Valley, with “on-site fitness centers and in-office happy hours” (Lennon). Despite this minor setback, I believe it is an aspect I have to trade-off since companies such as Goldman Sachs are now “raising pay” to compensate for the intense and demanding work culture (Lennon). The fact that it fits who I represent and the steps these large companies are taking to ensure the satisfaction of their employees makes Wall Street a very compelling path to take.

On the other hand, Silicon Valley provides a completely different work environment and culture, one centered around progressive thinking and innovation as compared to its eastern counterpart. Although these offices tend to have a variety of “fun perks”, I do not believe I am comfortable with mixing fun with work, as I personally feel I work best in a structured and focused environment and then love to completely distract myself and enjoy rather than mixing the two components (Lennon). However, what I like best about Silicon Valley is the potential for growth. As these companies tend to take care of their employees and the startup culture is significant, the ability to partner with like-minded individuals and innovate is a huge plus point.

What I have determined is that although future planning is vital, staying open-minded and flexible is equally as important. As discussed in Lennon’s article, there is a possibility that in the next few years California and New York may not be the centers of industry, which would then make me reevaluate my options. Although both Wall Street and Silicon Valley have their benefits, I am going to delay my decision to decide and focus on my more present future: one characterized by learning and growth in the overall business world. This research, therefore, is beneficial in my mentorship this year as I can tailor aspects of my mentorship to get a taste of each world and paint a clearer picture so as to aid my future decision.