"Build Your Mafia!!" CampusJob Founder Story

What is the largest challenge you've had while running CampusJob?

Campus Job launched in September 2014, however in those 9 months we have been through many challenges. For me, the biggest challenge has been ensuring that both sides of our marketplace (businesses and students) are engaged and happy. We must maintain amazing jobs to keep our students happy, and continue to find awesome students to make our businesses happy. This balancing act is a challenge, and one we are learning more about each and every day.

What has been your sweetest victory?

In Y Combinator, one moment stands out amongst all others. This was the day that we hit our lofty goal of 100,000 registered students using Campus Job. his was a pivotal moment; we felt we had arrived. Currently, we have over 140,000 registered students using Campus Job!

Who has been your best mentor?

Steli Efti, current CEO of Close.io is a respected and valued mentor. Steli gave me my break into the start-up scene by giving me a chance to join Elastic Sales, a YC company that helped dozens of Silicon Valley start-ups. He taught me the tools of the trade, and I attribute a lot of that to where I am today.

What's the best piece of advice you can offer?

BUILD YOUR MAFIA!! One of my favorite books is The Paypal Wars by Eric M. Jackson. Not only is it an amazing story, but when you read the book, you realize all of the influential people who have gone off to do amazing things. from Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Reid Hoffman, Max Levchin, and the list goes on and on. I knew that I had to build my own mafia of people who I could count on through the good, and bad, and people who I could get advice from on issues I, or my company, could be experiencing.

I am proud to say I have built a mafia of my own. My friends are either Heads of Sales/Marketing at start-up's, and founders of companies themselves. Remember, keep building your mafia, through every connection you make, and every co-worker you have. Keep building!

Who was the coolest person you met at TechDay?

There were so many cool people at TechDay, and some amazing companies, but the coolest part was getting the opportunity to interact with actual Campus Job users From current employers using the site who were in attendance, students who were walking around the convention center, as well as university career counselors, these were definitely the most meaningful connections made since we got to put a face to some names.