This Lex Fridman interview features Dave Plummer, a Microsoft engineer who recounts his journey from dropping out of high school to achieving significant success in the tech industry. The conversation explores Plummer's experiences, including working at 7-Eleven, his eventual return to school, and his unconventional path to landing a job at Microsoft.
Unconventional Path to Success: Dave Plummer's story highlights that a non-traditional educational path doesn't preclude professional success. His journey involved dropping out of high school, working various jobs (including 7-Eleven), returning to school, and eventually securing a position at Microsoft.
The Gradual Nature of Dropping Out: Plummer emphasizes that dropping out of school is often a gradual process, not a single event. He advises against allowing small decisions (like skipping class) to accumulate into a larger, more detrimental decision.
Importance of Finding Enjoyment in Education: Plummer suggests focusing on subjects or aspects of school that genuinely interest you to maintain motivation and success.
Unconventional Job Search: Plummer's strategy for landing a job at Microsoft included proactively contacting individuals at the company via email, demonstrating an initiative that led to a successful job placement.
Early Software Development Success: Plummer's experience creating and selling Hyperache, a file system cache for the Amiga, showcases his early programming abilities and entrepreneurial spirit. This experience contributed significantly to his eventual success.
