From Google to Startup Success: Christina Cordova's Journey from Law Major to COO of Linear

As a chief operating officer at Linear, I've learned to prioritize what makes me unique and focus on building meaningful partnerships - a lesson I first discovered when I left my "dream job" at Google to pursue a career in technology.

1. Christina Cordova graduated from college and was supposed to start working at Google.
2. She soon realized the job wasn't a good fit for her, despite being considered a "dream job" by many.
3. Her mom advised her to stay in the role, but Cordova followed her instincts and left Google.
4. This decision came from recognizing that what works for others may not work for her, and believing in pursuing her goals regardless of external pressures.
5. Before joining Linear as COO, she worked at Notion leading platform partnerships and self-serve growth initiatives.
6. She also spent 7.5 years at Stripe, where she led early partnership initiatives and business units focused on financial services.
7. Cordova studied political science with the intention of becoming a lawyer, but found it wasn't the right fit due to the long wait times for landmark cases.
8. Her first exposure to technology came from a friend interning at Tapulous, which sparked her interest in the fast-paced tech industry.
9. At Pulse (her first startup job), she built partnerships with global media companies, helping the company grow and gain recognition.
10. She admits not being good at forming partnerships initially but improved by experimenting and tweaking her approach.
11. Cordova attributes some of her success to not revealing her young age to potential partners, which helped avoid biases.
12. The Pulse app received significant attention when Steve Jobs showcased it during an Apple conference.
13. Joining Stripe from a small team of around 30 people, she focused on partnerships with high-growth companies rather than large, established ones.
14. This strategy allowed them to partner early with successful companies like Shopify, which eventually became a significant partner for Stripe.
15. Cordova emphasizes that small customers can grow into medium and large customers over time, making it essential to focus on their needs and growth.
16. At Stripe, she learned the importance of focusing on what makes the company unique and creating a compelling story around its strengths.
17. She joined Linear after noticing the company's strong word-of-mouth and organic growth, as well as its focus on customer value and craftsmanship.
18. Cordova appreciates Linear's frugal marketing efforts and significant achievements despite minimal investment.
19. As COO, she aims to help Linear reach a wider audience by building a go-to-market organization that demonstrates the product's value to potential customers.
20. She believes that listening to one's instincts and pursuing goals with conviction are crucial for career success and satisfaction.
21. Cordova encourages individuals to stay true to their values and aspirations, even if it means deviating from what others consider the "right path."

Source: EO via YouTube

❓ What do you think? What are some of the most significant lessons you've learned about navigating career paths, pursuing your passions, and making decisions that align with your values? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!