Sam Altman’s Advice to College Students: How to Navigate Career Decisions at 19
The decisions you make at 19 can significantly shape your future. Whether you’re debating whether to attend college, join a company, or start your own business, the path forward isn’t always clear. However, the key is not to stay idle. Sam Altman, renowned entrepreneur, investor, and former president of Y Combinator, offers invaluable advice to ambitious 19-year-olds and college students looking to make the most of their productive years.
At the heart of Altman’s message is action—whether you’re going to college, joining a startup, or launching a business, taking steps to build something is critical. In this blog, we’ll dive deep into Sam Altman advice to college students, including practical tips, scenarios, and even real-world examples to help you apply his insights to your own career journey.
1. There’s No Single Right Answer – Choose Action Over Stagnation
Sam Altman begins his advice by addressing a major concern for young students—What’s the right path? Should you go to college, jump straight into a startup, or join a company?
His answer: There’s no single right answer.
For many students, this lack of a clear path can be paralyzing. But Altman emphasizes that the key isn’t so much what you choose, but what you do once you’ve chosen. Sitting idle is the only wrong decision. The best thing you can do is:
- Build something
- Surround yourself with smart people
When you’re working on something meaningful, you’ll naturally be pulled along a path where opportunities continuously present themselves. Altman stresses that “stuff” can take many forms—it could be an open-source project, a startup, or even a new process you’re implementing at a job.
Real-World Example:
Consider Mark Zuckerberg. He didn’t start Facebook thinking it would be a global empire; it was just a side project while attending Harvard. The important thing wasn’t what he started—it was that he started at all. Even if your project doesn’t blow up into the next Facebook, it can help you develop new skills, meet smart people, and create opportunities.
2. College as a Gateway to Building and Networking
For many, college can serve as an excellent launching pad—if used properly. Sam Altman highlights that college shouldn’t be seen merely as a period to attend classes and pass exams. Instead, it’s a time to:
- Learn something worthwhile
- Work on interesting projects
- Meet people who will be valuable in the future
College offers you access to a wealth of resources: professors, networking events, research opportunities, and smart, like-minded peers. But if you go to college without the intention of making the most of these opportunities, you risk wasting four of your most productive years.
Practical Tip:
Imagine you’re attending a well-known university. Instead of simply focusing on lectures, challenge yourself to build something outside the classroom—join or start an entrepreneurial club, get involved in tech meetups, or work on projects with your peers. These experiences will help build the “stuff” Altman refers to, which will drive you toward greater opportunities down the road.
3. Choosing the Right Company: The Breakout Trajectory
If you choose to join a company straight out of college, Sam Altman offers practical advice on how to select the right one: look for a company on a breakout trajectory.
When a company is on a breakout trajectory, it is experiencing rapid growth. These companies offer the best risk/reward trade-offs for young professionals, allowing you to:
- Work with very talented people
- Learn what success looks like
- Get a significant “win” on your record
Choosing these companies gives you exposure to the best learning opportunities without necessarily needing to join a tiny, risky startup with little support or infrastructure.
Case Study:
Take Stripe, the financial services company, as an example. In its early years, it was not the massive fintech juggernaut it is today, but it was on a breakout trajectory. Early employees who joined Stripe not only enjoyed significant equity but also learned from the best in the industry and built lasting relationships that helped them move on to other opportunities.
4. The Risk of Not Building Anything
Altman emphasizes the importance of avoiding inaction. There is a misconception that you can sit back and “figure things out” for a while, but this can be one of the most dangerous paths to take.
“Getting nothing done for four of your most productive years is actually pretty risky,” he says.
Many college students fall into this trap, focusing only on academics or simply enjoying the social aspects of college life without building or creating something of value. College may provide a structure, but it’s up to you to make the most of it by developing projects, making connections, and exploring new opportunities.
Example:
Imagine a computer science student who spends four years acing all their courses but never takes the time to participate in hackathons or contribute to open-source projects. Upon graduation, they may have a degree, but they lack real-world skills and networking connections, putting them at a disadvantage compared to peers who actively worked on side projects.
5. Starting a Company: Do it Only If You’re Truly Passionate
If you’re considering starting your own company, Sam Altman’s advice is clear—only do it if you have an idea you’re truly in love with. Running a business is extremely challenging, and the level of commitment required is immense. Without deep passion for your idea, it’s easy to lose steam and ultimately fail.
However, if you do choose to start a company, you may face lower risks and higher rewards than simply joining a company. You can build something from scratch, learn invaluable lessons, and take control of your future.
Case Study:
Evan Spiegel started Snapchat when he was a college student at Stanford. The idea for Snapchat came from his personal passion for privacy and ephemerality in communication. Because of this deep connection to the problem he was solving, Spiegel was able to pour himself fully into the project and turn Snapchat into a multi-billion-dollar company.
6. Startups vs. Failed Companies: Which is Worse?
Sam Altman believes that starting a failed startup is less bad than joining a failed company as an employee. In the case of a failed startup, you will have gained more from the experience because you’ll be learning hands-on what it takes to run a business. You’ll acquire critical skills like:
Resource management
Leadership
Problem-solving
Networking
While the startup may not have succeeded, the personal growth you’ll experience will far outweigh the lessons you would have learned working for a failing company.
Example:
Imagine working for a company that is rapidly losing market share and eventually goes under. You may not learn much from this experience beyond what not to do. However, running your own failed startup teaches you practical lessons in resilience, business strategy, and innovation.
7. Keep Your Burn Rate Low
No matter which path you choose, whether it’s starting a company or working for one, Altman stresses the importance of keeping your personal burn rate low. This means minimizing your personal financial commitments so you can focus more on your career or venture. It allows you to take risks, pursue innovative ideas, and follow your passions without being tied down by heavy financial obligations.
Practical Tip:
If you’re fresh out of college and unsure about your next steps, consider living with roommates or staying with family for a while to save money. Avoid expensive purchases and unnecessary lifestyle inflation. This flexibility can make a huge difference when you’re figuring out your next move.
8. You Only Need to Be Right Once
Altman ends his advice on an optimistic note: You only need to be right once. Many people are afraid to take risks because they fear failure, but the reality is that you only need to succeed once to make a lasting impact. The key is to be on a path where you have the chance to be right at least once.
In other words, the biggest risk is not taking any risks at all.
Conclusion:
Sam Altman’s advice to college students and ambitious 19-year-olds boils down to one core principle—take action. Whether it’s through college, joining a company, or starting a business, the most important thing is to build something, surround yourself with smart people, and keep moving forward.
Follow this path, and you’ll put yourself in a position where good things will continue to happen.
Final Thought: The Next Steps You Should Take
For college students or ambitious 19-year-olds, following Sam Altman’s advice can be the foundation for a successful career. Don’t let the fear of making the wrong choice paralyze you. Start building, stay engaged, and remember that the road to success is often paved with lessons learned from failure.
