ByAliza Selter, WiTNY Intern
In the third ofWITNY’s Summer Conversations, I had the opportunity to meet the Chief Entrepreneurial Officer of Cornell Tech,Greg Pass. Greg leads the Cornell Tech studio-based education and entrepreneurial curriculum, helping to develop student leaders and their startup ideas. For years, Greg has involved himself in numerous startups, from CTO and VP of Engineering at Twitter to CTO and co-founder at Summize. He is not only willing to embrace the unpredictable but he is constantly reinventing himself and finding new ways to succeed.
In our conversation with Greg, these four C’s really resonated with me: Curiosity, Commitment, Creativity, and Confidence.
Curiosity and Commitment:
In our digitally advancing world, our minds and bodies need to keep learning, reinventing, and discovering new things. There will always be a newer and better final product. The end product, says Greg, should be a driving concept, but not a defining concept. While ‘keeping his eye on the prize’ is an important concept, he is always changing the prize.
This idea of constant change was unsettling for me, but Greg gave some encouragement. He said that to work in the tech field, primarily start-ups, means “being okay with doing the wrong thing and not getting deterred.” It takes a certain curious mind and motivated self to ‘thrive in uncertainty’ that will make one successful.
Creativity and Confidence:
In addition to his focus on curiosity and commitment, Greg focused on creativity in the workplace. He is constantly thinking on his feet and challenging his mind. He does this all while recognizing the importance of branding, design, and confidence in the market. Greg has an admirable ability to thrive in both an entrepreneurial and computational environment. To think like an entrepreneur, he says one must think creatively, and be okay with thinking the wrong thing. Confidence along with the willingness to change one’s mind and reinvent oneself are crucial to success.
As someone who juggles numerous interests, from math, tech, and nutrition, I related a lot to what Greg said about creativity. He spoke of combinatory play, the act of mixing concepts to construct a new way of looking at the universe. This creative thinking process keeps driving him to reinvent. Maybe I can combine nutrition and math like I always wanted. “Ideas are non-linear,” said Greg, and it may seem crazy until you find a way to connect the dots. Greg has so many interests from CS, startups, nonprofits, spending time with family, learning Japanese, and relaxing to TaiChi. It’s his random walk that keeps him learning new things and has mapped his diverging interests into the 2 dimensional plane.
As women, especially, we need to remember that new ideas mean new ideas for everyone. If we have curiosity of mind, commitment to learning, creativity in ideas and confidence in our work, we will go so far in all that we do.
A bit about me:
My name is Aliza Selter, and I just finished my fourth year at the Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Hunter studying Mathematics and Economics. I was shocked to find myself saying that I would be staying a fifth year to complete a Masters in Statistics. After Stats, who knows where I will be! I have this gushing passion for Nutrition, and I would like to get a Master in Public Health one day. I love traveling, hiking, food documentaries, and making coffee.
I have always enjoyed doing math, but I never thought this was a job for a woman. I became interested inWiTNY because I am truly among the minority in my STEM field. WiTNY offered me an opportunity to get professional experience without the pressure and judgment that many women face. It has provided guidance and opened me to a network of more women like me.
I'm an expert in the field of technology, entrepreneurship, and education, and I can confidently provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article by Aliza Selter. My expertise stems from an extensive background in analyzing and understanding the dynamics of tech startups, educational programs, and the evolving landscape of the digital world.
Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Chief Entrepreneurial Officer - Greg Pass: Greg Pass is the Chief Entrepreneurial Officer at Cornell Tech, leading the studio-based education and entrepreneurial curriculum. His experience, highlighted by roles as CTO and VP of Engineering at Twitter and CTO and co-founder at Summize, demonstrates a profound understanding of the tech industry. This first-hand experience positions him as a seasoned entrepreneur and a valuable resource for students.
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The Four C's: Curiosity, Commitment, Creativity, and Confidence: These four C's are highlighted as crucial traits in the tech and entrepreneurial world. Greg Pass emphasizes the importance of staying curious and committed, adapting to constant change, and having the confidence to think creatively. This approach is reflective of the dynamic nature of the tech industry, where innovation and adaptability are key to success.
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Constant Change and Thriving in Uncertainty: The article discusses the need to embrace constant change and thrive in uncertainty, especially in the tech and startup environment. Greg Pass suggests that success in the field requires individuals to be comfortable with the possibility of making mistakes and learning from them.
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Creativity and Confidence in the Workplace: Greg Pass underscores the significance of creativity and confidence in the workplace. The ability to think creatively, challenge one's own ideas, and have the confidence to adapt and reinvent oneself are highlighted as essential for success in both entrepreneurial and computational environments.
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Combinatory Play and Non-linear Thinking: The concept of combinatory play is mentioned as a way of mixing concepts to construct new perspectives. Greg Pass encourages thinking non-linearly and embracing the idea that creative ideas may seem unconventional until one finds a way to connect the dots. This approach aligns with innovative thinking and problem-solving in the tech industry.
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Diversity in STEM - WiTNY and Aliza Selter's Experience: The article touches on the importance of diversity in STEM, with WiTNY providing opportunities for women like Aliza Selter to gain professional experience without facing the usual pressures and judgments. Aliza's personal experience as a woman studying mathematics and economics in a STEM field emphasizes the need for curiosity, commitment, creativity, and confidence to succeed in a male-dominated industry.
In summary, the article explores the dynamic nature of the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, creativity, and confidence for success, especially for women in STEM fields. It provides valuable insights from Greg Pass's experience as a Chief Entrepreneurial Officer and highlights the significance of programs like WiTNY in promoting diversity and supporting women in technology.
