Is it possible to rise through the ranks in corporate if you start from the bottom?

[Anonymous]

Is it truly possible to attain a leadership position such as a VP or a Senior Director if you start off at a company as an entry level or junior employee?

I notice getting an MBA and joining already at a middle manager or above level seems to fast-track your career. I know an Oxford MBA who earns 300k as a senior director at 30 years old. She probably has 1 year post grad experience.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it's possible. But you must be always on the lookout for new opportunities to build skills, get to know people (network), take on challenges for highly-visible work, publish articles, public speaking, etc.... The MBA is nice, but you need something tangible to go with it (and no well-respected MBA program will take you absent this).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it's possible. But you must be always on the lookout for new opportunities to build skills, get to know people (network), take on challenges for highly-visible work, publish articles, public speaking, etc.... The MBA is nice, but you need something tangible to go with it (and no well-respected MBA program will take you absent this).

Are you tall, white male, exuding “leadership” charisma? And willing to throw some elbows to advance? Maybe.

Otherwise no.

[Anonymous]

Seems like a waste of time. You'd have to be in exactly the right positions at the right times to have opportunities become available as you become qualified. You will advance much faster moving around to other companies that have promotiond available when you're qualified rather than waiting for someone to die or retire at your current employer. It's also well known that the pay of long time employees stagnated so you will probably be undercompensated.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the industry. I’ve seen it happen at large retailers: sales associate, assistant store manager, store manager, district manager, regional VP (typically one of 5-10 such positions). Usually they’re extremely capable and are willing to relocate to move up.

You’ve probably noticed that a lot of retail stores today are disorganized and understaffed. Someone who can run a good operation and manage people effectively can go far.

[Anonymous]

The current CEO of IHOP actually started as a waitress at IHOP. She moved to Applebees where after 16 years became President. Applebees refused to make her CEO and she went back to IHOP where they made her CEO.

One of her first big moves at IHOP as CEO was buying Applebees!

[Anonymous]

Yes of course. DH started as an intern and rose to partner by 30.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The current CEO of IHOP actually started as a waitress at IHOP. She moved to Applebees where after 16 years became President. Applebees refused to make her CEO and she went back to IHOP where they made her CEO.

One of her first big moves at IHOP as CEO was buying Applebees!

That was dumb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like a waste of time. You'd have to be in exactly the right positions at the right times to have opportunities become available as you become qualified. You will advance much faster moving around to other companies that have promotiond available when you're qualified rather than waiting for someone to die or retire at your current employer. It's also well known that the pay of long time employees stagnated so you will probably be undercompensated.

This.

[Anonymous]

My spouse did. Started at Deloitte at 22 and made partner at 39.

[Anonymous]

Roger Goddell started as an intern in the NFL, and then became driver for Pete Rozelle

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes of course. DH started as an intern and rose to partner by 30.

Tall white male, right?

[Anonymous]

Harvey Spector started working in the mail room, rose to a named, managing partner.

Mike Ross started as bike courier. He was the fastest junior partner in the city.

[Anonymous]

I have. In finance/wealth management. Started as an assistant to an advisor, barely understanding what a stock even is and certainly not owning any. I am now SVP. It took about 15 years. I always have said yes to new opportunities, using each to learn a different aspect of the business. Some roles were easy, others excruciatingly hard. I’m a woman.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The current CEO of IHOP actually started as a waitress at IHOP. She moved to Applebees where after 16 years became President. Applebees refused to make her CEO and she went back to IHOP where they made her CEO.

One of her first big moves at IHOP as CEO was buying Applebees!

That was dumb.

Why it is true. IHOP/Applebees is huge. Also Mary Bara CEO of GM did it