I am a freshman at the University of South Florida and I plan major in general business, with the hopes of becoming a top executive at a corporation. Is this a realistic goal? What steps should I take to achieve my goal? Is an M.B.A. necessary?
We applaud your foresight and willingness to set your goals high. You'll need to be a self-starter with substantial ambition — these two qualities will prove to be essential if you are to travel the road to the top. At this point in your life, don't be too concerned with what's "realistic". What matters more is that you try to make your dream a reality.
It seems a good place to start by talking to successful people. Find at least 10 people who have reached the top of their profession in your area and seek out their counsel. Learn what road they traveled to get to where they are. Start talking with everyone you can, from the small garage manager to the president of a large company. You might find it easier to start small and then move up in your search to find others who may be able to offer you advice. The more you talk with people, the more you can learn what's necessary to "be taken seriously." As you meet with people, tell them whom you've talked with prior to meeting with them and how you got their name. It helps them understand that you're indeed serious in your quest for information. Digest what you learn and see what can be applied to your own situation. The smartest person is the person who can learn from the experience of others — a rare trait.
Look at every person you meet as a potential contact to put you in touch with someone else who might be of help. You may remember the play and film, "Six Degrees of Separation," which was based on the premise that any person can get in touch with anyone else in the world by following the contacts of just six other people. Even if it seems unlikely to you, try it. With persistence and a plan, you can glean the knowledge you seek and chart your own course.
You also must define clearly for yourself what you think constitutes success and what you mean by "top executive“ — what is it from that job title that you really want? Does that mean money, or power, or having lots of employees? Unless you're clear about what you want, it's hard to get it. If you want an M.B.A., then go after it. Of course, you'll need to finish that undergraduate degree first. Then if you see another degree only as a necessary stepping-stone and don't really have the desire to pursue more education, it's doubtful that you'll benefit much from it.
It's easy for people to approach their goals thinking about what they want to have and what they need to do to get them, and only lastly who they want to be. But this sequence is backwards. You will be wiser to follow this order: Be who you really are, then do what you want in an efficient and helpful manner, and you'll have everything you want.
Finally, as you travel through your career, consider being the kind of employee that does stand above the rest and will rise to the top. We think being able to do the following will make the difference:
If you can do these things, you're a good bet to make it to the top.