Sam Altman speaks to high schoolers about college dropout risks

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, addressed high school students at his former school, John Burroughs School in St. Louis, discussing his decision to drop out of Stanford at the age of 19. He explained that his choice was not premeditated but rather a spontaneous opportunity to pursue a startup called Loopt, which focused on location services. Altman emphasized that he felt secure in his decision because he could always return to college if his venture failed. He reflected on the changing landscape of career paths, noting that the traditional model of education leading to a stable job is becoming less viable. Altman pointed out that many young people today are more willing to switch jobs and take risks, which he believes is essential in a dynamic world. He argued that avoiding risks could lead to regret later in life, as individuals might look back and wish they had pursued their passions. Altman also highlighted the evolving attitudes of millennials and Gen Z workers, who are less attached to the stigma of job-hopping compared to previous generations. He noted that during the pandemic, job switching became particularly lucrative, and even with the current job market cooling, younger employees continue to seek new opportunities. In a light-hearted moment, Altman cautioned the students not to tell their parents he encouraged them to drop out of college, underscoring the importance of making informed decisions about their futures while also embracing the potential for self-correction in their career paths.