Best and most typical career path to CEO?

Question

I'd like to hear opinions on the best and/or most typical career path to become a CEO, including degrees, etc.

If anyone knows of a site that give the educational background and previous experience of today's CEOs, that would be great too.

Answer 1

I doubt there is any one single answer to your question; CEO's have risen to positions from all different backgrounds at a variety of companies. I think it is safe to say an MBA and/or Business Law background would be required. You would have to know something about the industry you want to get into. Once you finish school, you need to land a job - try for management. If the company has management development programs or executive management development programs, you will need to ge into those. You will need to achieve and excel in your job and be seen as a rising star to move up the chain; you may have to move up the chain by changing companies a couple of times (but you don't want to over do that). Through it all, you have to be a bit lucky too - you have to be in the right place at the right time and know the right people. In your career, build a network of people and keep up with them. You will probably need to attend variouis industry symposiums and seminars to meet and greet people who can help you with your growth. Through all that, there is no guarantee you will reach the top, but if you do those things, you should go far.

For typical CEO backgrounds, go to company web sites and dig into the About sections and look at the board member profiles. The profiles will tell you lots about their background.

Answer 2

First thing is you should get your MBA. In my college there is an executive MBA program which is the best for top executive careers. After your MBA get a job in a company you want to be CEO. Work your way up. Not everyone can become CEO. If you are good enough they might consider hiring you. Usually a CEO has a MBA with at least 10 years in management experience.

A lot of CEOs expanded there small businesses into big corporations. That is how they are CEO.

Answer 3

I've done some research on this topic over the years by reading books and newspaper articles. Perhaps the easiest way to become CEO is to be the founder of the company; however, keeping your company afloat and profitable will be the determining factors as to whether you continue in your role as CEO. Most CEO's will agree that they have reached their position by hard work... and we're not talking the typical forty hour work week. We're talking more like ninety. Yes, pretty much, all they do is work. You'll find plenty of CEO's who later regret not spending much time with their family; however, some of them have managed to find a balance between work and family, and I hope you're one of them... life is too short to be all business all the time. In terms of degrees, you might be surprised that many CEO's do not have college degrees. Although many have some college, most left because they found their passion; Michael Dell of Dell Computers would be an excellent example. Years ago, I read that the former CEO of a major company started as a truck driver for that company... then he worked himself up through the ranks; he stated that it was hard work that got him to the top.

Answer 4

In my humble opinion, people who build their own businesses from the ground up are the most typical CEOs. They may not call themselves CEOs, but if you're running the show, what's the difference? Creating your own business has risks, but if you own it you're not accountable to the executive board for results. The board can be brutal; don't think the CEO is in charge. He is employed by the board and must do their bidding. Then there are investors to please...

Corporate ladder is tough; lots of competition. The winners work long, unpaid hours and make sacrafices like no family life, no vacations, etc. Sounds brutal, but I have seen people do this. When it comes to picking people for promotion, you should pick the best person who is also the most committed. No kids, no life leads to high commitment to a job. Also get used to kissing up for a while.

That's why I think building your own business is best.

Answer 5

Can't help you with the career-switching questions; you might want to dig up your undergraduate alumni resources or look for local networking groups and see if you can make some contacts that way. But if I were you, I'd lean toward the MBA and look at programs that have concentrations in health care management (there are some out there), or at the very least make sure you can cross-register and take some health care classes as electives (though that shouldn't be a problem at most schools). It'll give you more flexibility in case it turns out the field isn't right for you or if you decide to go into something like biotech/pharma, but you'll be able to demonstrate to potential employers that you're familiar with any challenges particular to health care.

Answer 6

You must have an MBA and technical education in your chosen field.

Start in a Managerial position in your field. Work it for a year then advance a level. Work another year in that position and move a position or two above, work it for a year or two and eventually you will be considered for the CEO position....if you've done exceptional work and displayed sound judgement.

Or, be a family member of an elitist family.

Answer 7

Inherit the company.

Answer 8

start as office runner

Answer 9

nepotism