In this engaging conversation, Paige Shaw, a former SpaceX employee and Wharton MBA, shares her fascinating journey from Princeton to the tech industry. She recounts her memorable encounter with Elon Musk and insights into SpaceX's intense culture and feedback-driven environment. Paige delves into her role in launching Starlink’s Direct2Sell and the unique challenges of entering deep tech. She also discusses the importance of adaptability, mentorship, and navigating career transitions in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Paige's journey from Princeton to SpaceX highlights the importance of adaptability and resilience in fast-paced tech environments.
The mission-driven culture at SpaceX fosters a collaborative atmosphere that challenges employees while aligning them with groundbreaking goals.
Transitioning to Armada AI allowed Paige to leverage skills from SpaceX while pursuing new challenges in the startup tech landscape.
Deep dives
Background and Education
The guest, Paige, shares her background as a Princeton graduate who majored in history with a minor in dance. Her involvement in the Princeton University Ballet as Artistic Director reflects her deep commitment to dance, where she practiced extensively. After completing her undergraduate degree, she transitioned into the tech industry, beginning her career at Qualtrics, which set the stage for her later ambition to work for a deep tech company. Ultimately, her journey led her to apply for and secure an internship at SpaceX, driven by her determination to work in a hypergrowth environment.
Internship Experience at SpaceX
During her internship at SpaceX, Paige was introduced to a fast-paced and demanding work culture, emphasizing a mission-driven approach to business. Assigned to a project focused on Starlink's international growth and market entry metrics, she had to adapt quickly without extensive onboarding or training. Engaging with both engineers and beta customers, she utilized her skills from previous roles to help shape the project's objectives and strategies. This environment demanded long hours and intensive research, testing her resilience and commitment to the company's overall goals.
SpaceX Culture and Work Environment
Paige conveys that the culture at SpaceX is intensely focused on its mission of making life multiplanetary, with all efforts aligned to this larger goal. The company promotes a rigorous work ethic, creating a self-selecting culture where only those deeply passionate about the mission thrive. Although it lacks some of the usual tech perks, the inspiring environment of working on groundbreaking technology and launching rockets drives employee satisfaction. The collaborative spirit among colleagues, including engineers, ensures a supportive yet challenging atmosphere for interns and full-time employees alike.
Transition from SpaceX to Armada
After completing her internship at SpaceX, Paige sought to delve into the fast-paced world of a startup, ultimately joining Armada AI, which specializes in edge computing and artificial intelligence. Her previous experience at SpaceX laid a strong foundation for her transition into this role, allowing her to leverage the skills and knowledge she gained. The partnership between Armada and SpaceX further enhances her experience, as they work together to provide innovative data solutions for remote industries. This move represents her desire to explore the invigorating challenges of startup life while applying her extensive tech background.
Lessons from Business School
Paige reflects on how her MBA experience has broadened her perspective and helped clarify her career path amid a rapidly changing tech landscape. Engaging in various courses and extracurricular activities has equipped her with skills needed for navigating and succeeding in the business world. She emphasizes the importance of forming meaningful connections, focusing on a smaller circle of trusted peers rather than a vast network. Ultimately, the rigorous academic environment has driven her to become increasingly curious and passionate about her future endeavors.
In this episode, I interview Paige, a fellow Wharton MBA and former SpaceX employee, as she shares her unique journey and insights into the company's culture and mission.
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------ ⏱Timestamps⏱ 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:16 - Paige’s background 00:05:45 - Princeton 00:11:28 - Entering the tech industry 00:12:59 - Meeting Elon Musk in high school 00:15:04 - Working at Qualtrics 00:21:06 - Recruiting for SpaceX 00:28:26 - Getting the SpaceX offer 00:29:18 - SpaceX culture and role 00:32:31 - Day to day responsibilities 00:35:27 - Key lessons at SpaceX 00:39:16 - Feedback culture 00:42:37 - Moving to a different team at SpaceX 00:43:54 - SpaceX culture 00:47:22 - Work-life balance 00:48:55 - SpaceX perks 00:49:44 - Surprising aspects at SpaceX 00:50:26 - Elon Musk’s presence 00:51:58 - Armada 00:57:21 - Armada’s relationship with SpaceX 00:58:00 - Discovering Armada opportunity 00:58:49 - Pivoting from SpaceX 00:59:52 - Resources for tech trends 01:01:33 - Overcoming imposter syndrome 01:02:51 - Team structure at SpaceX 01:04:28 - Compensation at SpaceX 01:05:49 - Why MBA 01:18:14 - Advice for your younger self
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