Chet Kapoor, the chairman and CEO of DataStax, had always dreamt of working for tech mogul Steve Jobs. This dream became a reality when Kapoor was hired as an intern at software company NeXT, founded by Jobs. Kapoor spoke about his experience as an intern, mentioning how he worked closely with Jobs, despite initially feeling like he was just the guy bringing coffee for the guy making coffee. However, this close proximity to Jobs provided Kapoor with invaluable insights into the workings of a visionary leader like Jobs.
Kapoor went on to make his mark in Silicon Valley as the CEO of cloud software company Apigee, which was later acquired by Google. He attributes a significant portion of his success to his experience working as an intern at NeXT. Kapoor mentioned that he focused on the questions that Jobs asked during all-hand meetings, as it gave him an insight into Jobs’ strategic thinking process. This exposure to Jobs’ leadership style and decision-making capabilities played a crucial role in shaping Kapoor’s own approach to leadership.
Born in Kolkata, India, Kapoor recalled being introduced to the world of technology and innovation at a young age. His mother would take him to the British Council library, where he discovered a book called ‘A Little Kingdom’ by Michael Moritz. The book chronicled the story of two Steves: Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, and their journey with Apple. This book left a deep impression on Kapoor, inspiring him to pursue a career in technology and ultimately work with Jobs himself.
Inspired by the book, Kapoor enrolled in computer classes and eventually applied to colleges in the United States. He landed at Arizona State University in 1986, around the same time Jobs left Apple and founded NeXT. Kapoor seized the opportunity to join NeXT through their Campus Consultants program, where he worked part-time while pursuing his degree. This eventually led to Kapoor becoming an intern at NeXT, fulfilling his long-held dream of working with Jobs.
Kapoor highlighted the product and design-centric environment that Jobs cultivated at NeXT, emphasizing the importance of user experience in product development. Jobs’ focus on creating great products resonated with Kapoor, influencing his own approach to leadership and product development. Kapoor reflected on the strong engineering culture that Jobs instilled at NeXT, emphasizing the importance of discipline and rigorous attention to detail in engineering practices.
Kapoor’s internship with Steve Jobs at NeXT had a profound impact on his career trajectory, laying the foundation for his future success as a tech entrepreneur and CEO. The insights gained from working closely with Jobs shaped Kapoor’s leadership style, emphasizing the importance of user-centric design and engineering excellence in product development. Kapoor’s journey from an intern to a prominent tech CEO is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship and hands-on experience in shaping future leaders in the technology industry.
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