Read Time = 2 minutes

I graduated college with ZERO professional experience.

In my first interview, I found out the hiring manager was a walk-on swimmer at Miami and I was a walk-on golfer. We bonded over that and I got the job.

Two years in, I quit. Went to Europe for a month, then came back and played a shit-ton of golf. Eventually, I started looking at jobs at that same manager hired me at another start-up (this time as an AE with zero sales experience).

I stayed eight years. The whole time, people were leaving. Starting companies. Getting promoted. Building new networks.

That’s when I realized something:

The most important part of your first job isn’t the salary or title.

It’s the alumni network you’re joining.

Just like sports has coaching trees, your career has a network tree.

My first founder refers me consulting opportunities.
My first boss hired me again.
A former colleague became a client.

Who you work with today shapes your opportunities tomorrow.

PayPal produced Tesla, LinkedIn, and Palantir.
Google alumni built Instacart, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Facebook veterans created Asana and Quora.

You probably aren’t working for the next unicorn — and that’s fine. There are plenty of successful, under-the-radar companies run by great people building great lives.

Build your career coaching tree.

Stay in touch when people move on.
Invite someone to lunch or coffee.
Celebrate others’ wins.

Your network isn’t just who you know — it’s who knows you.

Until next Thursday,

TSG

P.S. I reply to all emails.