DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ I quit college and became a truck driver. It's the best decision I've made for my career.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kiara Areli, a 22-year-old truck driver based in the Chicago area. At Amazon, I joined the Amazon Career Choice program , an educational initiative designed to empower Amazon employees to learn new skills for career success. Becoming a truck driver was one of the best decisions I've ever madeBefore becoming a truck driver, I was in a dark place and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Honestly, I don't regret not continuing college — now I feel like I have a purpose because I'm also inspiring others to consider this truck driving career path. If you have worked as a truck driver and want to share your story, email Aria Yang at ayang@insider.com.

Persons: —, Kiara Areli, would've, you'll, It's, I've, I'm, Aria Yang Organizations: Service, Amazon Locations: Chicago, Lockport, Lombard, Batavia , Illinois, Skokie , Illinois, ayang@insider.com

☆ I quit Amazon after 2 months. The job was as stressful as I'd read about.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

He said deadlines at Amazon were aggressive and that he felt he wasn't allowed to ask questions. We didn't have a lot of money, and I always believed that I needed a high-paying job to support my family. I was really happy I landed a job at Amazon right after graduation and felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders. I just wish I had known sooner that what happened while I was at Amazon didn't define me or my capabilities. AdvertisementAdvertisementIf you recently quit your big tech job and want to share your story, email Aria Yang at ayang@insider.com.

Persons: Navdeep Singh, Singh, —, didn't, I'd, I'm, Aria Yang Organizations: Amazon, Service, Washington State University, Google, YouTube Locations: Seattle, Reddit, ayang@insider.com

☆ I've been a bartender for over 20 years. Here are 5 things you should never do at a bar and the mistakes I see people make.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I've been in this industry for two decades and still see people make the same mistakes at the bar. After all, you don't know the person's situation and it's always good to err on the side of caution. Do: Tip at least 18% for good serviceWhen I'm at a bar, I'll tip at least 18%. Before you leave, take a moment to let someone who works at the bar know about your experience. You never know if someone has entered the bar already drunk — serving just one drink might push them over the edge.

Persons: Keyatta Mincey Parker, Parker, —, I've, you've, we'll, it's, they've, Saint Germain, I'm, who's, Aria Yang Organizations: Service Locations: bartenders, Atlanta, ayang@insider.com

☆ Google's highly competitive APM program was the key to jump-starting my career. Here's what it was like and how much I make as a product manager.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

He said the APM program is so competitive that landing an interview is like hitting a gold mine. After graduating, I chose Google over other companies because it offered a lot more support and resources: The Google APM program was proposed by former Google executive Marissa Mayer who started the program in 2002 to recruit fresh talents. Getting into the program is hard — it is estimated that 8,000 people apply to the APM program each year, and only 40-45 get accepted. This is the best part about the APM program — the ability to switch teams. I went to work in the office of the CEO, Sundar Pichai, and did product strategy-related work directly for him.

Persons: Arjun Lalwani, Arjun, —, Marissa Mayer, I've, you'll, Google's, Sundar Pichai, Sundar Pichai's, It's, Aria Yang Organizations: Google, APM, Service, YouTube, Microsoft, Google APM, APM II, Base, Hilton, Marriott Locations: Paris, Singapore, Madrid, Lisbon, ayang@insider.com

☆ I quit my $370K job at Meta after having panic attacks and hitting the lowest point of my life. I just knew the job wasn't right for me.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Eric Yu is a former software engineer at Meta who experienced panic attacks due to work pressure. AdvertisementAdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eric Yu, a 28-year-old former software engineer at Meta. We decided we needed exit plans, because neither of us wanted to work in tech for that much longer. I even set a personal goal to quit Meta once I was making $10,000 a month from real estate. If you left your big tech job and would like to share your story, email Aria Yang at ayang@insider.com.

Persons: Eric Yu, —, Wanda, Eric Yu I, pinky, Meta, I've, there's, learnings, Eric, Wanda brainstormed, Aria Yang Organizations: Meta, Service, Google, Facebook Locations: San Francisco, Redding , California, ayang@insider.com

☆ I quit Disney Cruise Line after just 4 months because of intense burnout. Here's what working on a cruise is actually like.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Gianna Alexis worked for Disney Cruise Line on the Disney Dream ship when she was 24. AdvertisementAdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Gianna Alexis, a former crew member of Disney Cruise Line. I was three years old when I sailed on my first Disney cruise, and I thought it was the coolest thing. I had always been excited about working for Disney, so I applied for a job at Disney Cruise Line in 2017. Working on the cruise ship wasn't all badWorking at the boutique was so much fun.

Persons: Gianna Alexis, Alexis, —, Disney, I've, David Roark, jalapeno, Matt Stroshane, I'd, you've, Aria Yang Organizations: Disney Cruise Line, Disney, Service, Disney Cruise, Buena Vista Theatre, ESPN, ABC Locations: Portugal, ayang@insider.com

☆ I worked in the White House as an unpaid intern. The job was intense and fascinating — here's what my day looked like.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Julian Sarafian is a 29-year-old former White House intern from Sacramento, California. AdvertisementAdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Julian Sarafian, a 29-year-old former White House intern from Sacramento, California. It's a 10 to 15 minute walk to the White House grounds, and I even walked there on cold and snowy days. It's the side where visitors often gather to take photos of the White House, so it was neat walking in like a VIP. They were accompanied by the White House groundskeeper and were often spotted around the grounds.

Persons: Julian Sarafian, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, —, Barack Obama's, Obama, Jason Furman, I'd, It's, wasn't, Sarafian, interning, Sunny, Yang Organizations: White, Service, UC Berkeley, UC Washington Program, of Economic Advisors, FBI, of Economic, of Economic Advisers, DC, UC Washington, Secret, Harvard Law School Locations: Sacramento , California, Washington ,, Dupont, Washington

☆ I moved to Seattle for a high-paying tech job. It turned out to be the loneliest time of my life.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Alexander Nguyen, a software engineer who moved from New York City to Seattle for a job at Amazon. It was his first job out of college, and he says it was the loneliest time of his life. Finally, after a three-month job search, things started looking up: I received a software-development-engineering job offer from Amazon in 2020. Back when I got the job at Amazon, all I was thinking about was my tech career and the $150,000 salary. Looking back now, I realize perhaps I should have looked a little bit harder for opportunities in New York before taking the first tech job that came my way.

Persons: Alexander Nguyen, Boba Guys, —, Alexander Nguyen Nobody, it'd, I've, It's, I'm, it's, you've, Aria Yang Organizations: New York University, White Oaks, Amazon, Facebook, University District, NYU, CS, Netflix, Microsoft, Google Locations: New York City, Seattle, Greenwich Village, University, San Francisco, New York, ayang@insider.com

☆ I regretted moving to France. The cost of living was too high for my low salary and I experienced xenophobia — so I moved back to the US.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Colleen Gill moved to Paris, France in 2016 and lived there for four years. She also experienced xenophobic microaggressions while living in France. I also liked the simple pleasures of living in France — I loved buying freshly baked bread and butter every day. The salaries are low and the cost of living is high in FranceMy husband and I lived in central Paris. But the truth is, I didn't love France enough to stay and try to change it.

Persons: Colleen Gill, France —, it's, It's, I've, Aria Yang Organizations: Service Locations: Paris, France, Wall, Silicon, Brooklyn, NY, New York, Italian, American, Florida, New York City, America, NYC

☆ Here is exactly how much I made at Google in a strategy role and why I chose to leave
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

He said working at Google was like getting a mini MBA, and he had to give 110% effort daily. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jerry Lee, a former strategy and operations manager at Google. Then, about a year later, I successfully moved to the revenue strategy and operations team. Strategy and operations manager, Revenue strategy and operations teamBase salary: $100,000, Annual bonus: $18,500Equity: $30,000Total compensation: $148,500This team thinks about how to increase revenue for Google. Senior strategy and operations manager, Revenue strategy and operations teamBase salary: $129,000, Annual bonus: $22,500Equity: $46,500Total compensation: $198,000One year later, I was promoted again to senior strategy and operations manager.

Persons: Jerry Lee, I'm, —, Aria Yang Organizations: Google, Morning, Google Analyst, Base, Fortune Locations: South Korea, Europe, Asia

☆ I burned out at McKinsey and quit the elitist consulting lifestyle. The workload was mentally straining and I felt myself losing my humility.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

I was hired by McKinsey & Company as a business analystWhen I joined in 2016, my base salary was $80,000 plus an additional performance bonus. McKinsey provided a retirement program contribution of 7% of qualified compensation, and I also received a sign-on bonus of $5,000. The bonus was based on my performance after the first year, and it was calculated as a percentage of my base salary. Then in the following year, this bonus, combined with my base salary, was my new base for compensation. But I realized I was getting too used to this lifestyle, and I personally found myself losing humility and patience.

Persons: Angelina Lu, Lu, I'd, I've, you've, Aria Yang Organizations: McKinsey & Company, Service, McKinsey, Northwestern University, Northwestern, McKinsey — Locations: Wall, Silicon, client's, Chicago, Kenya

☆ Here's exactly how much I made at Google, Snap, and Cisco in non-technical roles
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Jonathan Javier is a former product operations analyst at Google, Snap, and Cisco. I graduated from UC Riverside and always wanted to work in the tech industry in non-tech roles focusing on strategy, sales operations, and advisory. Cisco: Go-to-market strategy and operations analyst$90,000 base salary + $10K bonus + $20K stock optionsI left Google for Cisco for two main reasons. You need to build your network early on to land your dream jobBuilding your network early on makes a big difference in job hunting. That's why it pays off to build the network early on.

Persons: Jonathan Javier, Jonathan, Snapchat, It's, Aria Yang Organizations: Google, Cisco, UC Riverside, LinkedIn, Meta, Network Locations: Snapchat

☆ I'm a 22-year-old who made nearly $100K in revenue on Depop last year. Here's how I did it and my secret tips to sell successfully.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Theresa Sobocinski is a 22-year-old product designer who made nearly $100K a year on Depop. She says few people know that constantly refreshing items on Depop is crucial to boosting sales. In that situation, you'll need to refresh to get it back up on the feed. If I'm selling a top, I'll usually pair it with a nice skirt or whatever looks good with the top. But you don't really need experience selling on other platforms to start a Depop.

Persons: Theresa Sobocinski, Poshmark, anyone's, Depop, what's, you've, Aria Yang Organizations: Service, Tiger, Adidas Locations: Depop, Wall, Silicon, Europe, It's

☆ I bought a laundromat and only spend 1 hour a week managing it. It's an easy, hands-off secondary income stream — here's how I got started.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Brandon Schlichter is a real estate investor who owns a laundromat in Chillicothe, Ohio. I got my real estate license in 2006 and have been a full-time real estate investor for 10 years. The laundromat is easier than other ventures, like restaurantsIn my opinion, the laundromat business is easier than other ventures because they're not heavily employee-centric. For those who want to start a laundromat business, I recommend paying close attention to the numbers — they're crucial. If you've successfully created a secondary or passive income stream and want to share your story, email Aria Yang at ayang@insider.com.

Persons: Brandon Schlichter, It's, they're, Taco Bell, you've, Aria Yang Organizations: Service, YouTube Locations: Chillicothe , Ohio, Wall, Silicon, Columbus

☆ Here's exactly how much I made as a JP Morgan trader and Buzzfeed account executive. I have no regrets leaving behind my $656K job to become my own boss.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Tu says leaving Wall Street was one of the best decisions she's ever made. I wanted to go on to Wall Street because that's what everybody else was doing. I chose Wall Street because a lot of my friends were interviewing for Wall Street jobs, and I didn't want to be left behind. I had never really thought about investing or growing my wealth until I hit the desk on Wall Street. Buzzfeed:Digital Media Strategy Salesperson, $80K base salary + commissionsAccount Executive, Client Partnerships, $100K base salary + $127K commissionsSenior Account Executive, Client Partnerships (2020), $110K base salary + $252K commissionsSenior Account Executive, Client Partnerships (2021), $120K base salary + $536K commissionsI worked on the digital marketing strategy sales team at BuzzFeed, focusing on establishing partnerships with brands.

Persons: Vivian Tu, Morgan, she's, —, JP, JP Morgan, Rich BFF, it's, I've, Rich, Aria Yang Organizations: University of Chicago, Wall, Chicago, Fifth Third Bank, JP Morgan, Media, BuzzFeed, YouTube Locations: BuzzFeed

☆ I made nearly $1 million in revenue my first year on Etsy. Here's how I did it and my best tips for shop owners.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

One of my clients back then had an Etsy shop, and she was selling products both on an Etsy shop and a Shopify Store. I wasn't the standard DIY or handmade crafts Etsy shop ownerI didn't make crafts or other handmade products — I was the give-me-something-to-sell-and-I-will-sell-it type of Etsy shop owner. Essential tips to start your first-ever Print-on-demand Etsy store1. For example, when you get an order from your Etsy shop, Printfuls will print it and fulfill it for you. If you're an Etsy shop owner and would like to share your story, email Aria yang at ayang@insider.com.

Persons: Hannah Gardner, Etsy, —, — they're, Rich Organizations: Morning, Commerce, USPS Locations: Etsy, Miami, West Palm, Brazil, Hollister

☆ I quit my $120K finance job and make more money with YouTube videos. I wish I never drank the corporate America Kool-Aid and chased my own dreams sooner.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Vincent Chan left his $120,000 job in finance and became a full-time YouTuber. His biggest advice for people who want to quit is to have a financial safety net before quitting. So I wanted to get a really good job after graduating college, and finance was one of the careers I looked into. I quit my job in finance, and now I make more money by creating contentI work on a couple things now: I primarily focus on content creation. When the time came for me to quit, my parents noticed that I was making a good amount of money from my creative endeavors.

Persons: Vincent Chan, I've, Aria Yang Organizations: Morning, Financial Times, Street Locations: America

☆ Here's how much I made at Google, Meta, and LinkedIn — and why I ultimately left my $196,000 tech job
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Aria Yang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Mitchie Nguyen is a former product marketing manager at Meta and Google. She left her $196,000 job at Meta job to build her own creator economy startup. I've spent around six years working in the tech industry at companies like LinkedIn, Meta and Google. Google: Associate product marketing manager$91,000 base salary + 15% annual bonus target + $64K stock package vested over four yearsI joined the associate product marketing program at Google where I fell in love with product marketing. During my time there, I took on various roles, starting with building the privacy product marketing team for augmented reality and virtual reality products.

Persons: Mitchie Nguyen, Aria Yang, Michelle Nguyen, I've, —, it's Organizations: Meta, Google, LinkedIn, Business, VR, Facebook Locations: Japan, Austria, Australia, Italy, Spain

Search resuls for: "ayang@insider.com"

18 mentions found