I interviewed at Nvidia last year. Didn’t apply. They asked me to interview, which felt like a win.

Nvidia is one of the most valuable companies in the world; 70-80% of its employees are reportedly millionaires. Believe me, the air of superiority and smugness was palpable, even through a phone interview.

They didn’t move me forward. I lacked some specific experience. Weirdly, I’m glad I didn’t get the job. Would it be incredible to work at Nvidia? No doubt. The money and prestige alone are life-changing.

But I don’t really care for pricing strategy. And I think my life would’ve become worse in strange, incalculable ways. I’d tie my identity to my job, for one. Always “Nvidia” in my bio, then forever “ex-Nvidia.” I’m better off slowly shedding the desire to be anointed by Elite Institutions.

100% worth interviewing at Elite Institutions though. I got grilled on my math models, my impact; every detail flipped over and examined under a microscope.

Every person should experience sitting in a hot seat, defending their thinking. High standards sharpen, even in rejection.