Becoming a CEO is one of the most rewarding challenges in business. For aspiring CEOs, it takes ambition, determination and smart choices – and with the right steps, it’s entirely within your reach. As the Chief Executive Officer, you’ll lead a company and make important decisions that shape its future. It’s one of the top spots in the business world. So, let’s answer the question: how do you become a CEO?
What does a CEO do?
Put simply, a CEO is the leader of a company. They are responsible for setting direction, making strategic decisions and ensuring the organisation stays on course. Think of a CEO as the captain of a ship. They navigate their company through both calm waters (things like steady growth in demand) and stormy seas (such as recessions), making sure it stays on course no matter what. They collaborate with their board of directors and executive team to deliver results, motivate employees and ensure sustainable business management.
How do you become a CEO: start with education
The path to becoming a CEO kicks off with a solid education. Putting in the hard yards in high school is crucial because it sets up the foundations for your future success. Focus on subjects like business studies, economics and communication – they’ll help you develop important management skills. After all, having a head for numbers is definitely a must for any CEO, as is the ability to explain their vision to staff, customers and investors. Charles Sturt University’s Bachelor of Business1 is an excellent starting point on your CEO career path. You gain all the foundational business skills you need, then you can major in management and leadership.
Develop leadership skills early
Being a CEO means being a leader, so seize opportunities to develop leadership skills early. Get involved in school clubs, sports teams or volunteer gigs. You’ll take charge of projects, rally your team and step up to responsibilities. When you join Charles Sturt, you can help run university events or even become a member of the Student Representative Council. These experiences will give you great soft skills – and boost your confidence – the building blocks of any future leadership role and overall leadership development.
Gain experience
Grab a part-time job, snag an internship or even kick off your side hustle, like an online shop. Every job or project you do teaches you crucial skills – managing money, working with customers, solving problems – that are important for any CEO. The more you learn now, the closer you’ll be to leading your own company in the future! Study the Bachelor of Business at Charles Sturt University and benefit from structured work-integrated learning opportunities, including internships with leading organisations. These opportunities provide relevant work experience and open up career paths that can lead to senior management roles and, eventually, the CEO’s office.
Consider postgraduate study
Many CEOs boost their careers with a Master of Business Administration (MBA). This degree supercharges your knowledge in finance, strategy and leadership – which are, you know, pretty useful when it comes to running a company. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other driven professionals and build your network. While not every CEO has an MBA, it can sharpen your skills and set you apart as a future leader. Plus, you don’t have to do it straight after your undergraduate degree; you can go out into the wide world of business and gain some experience, then come back to your alma mater for postgrad study.
Learn from mentors
Mentorship is one of the most valuable parts of any career path. A mentor offers guidance, shares insights, and helps you avoid common pitfalls. They’ve already walked the road you’re on and can help you plan your next move with clarity. Seek out mentors through professional development programs, networking events, or within your workplace. Learning from CEO success stories can also give you perspective on the many different paths to leadership. Universities like Charles Sturt connect students with experienced industry professionals to support their career journey.
Be curious and keep learning
Continuous learning is key to becoming a great leader. CEOs are always exploring fresh ideas and novel ways to make their companies better. Start building this habit now – books, videos, online forums, the whole shebang. Whether you’re exploring cutting-edge tech or discovering how different industries tick, staying curious keeps you growing and improving – one of the most valuable traits for a successful leader. The more you learn, the better you’ll be prepared to lead.
Set goals and stay determined
Becoming a CEO isn’t something that happens straight away – it’s a long-term career journey. So start by setting both short-term and long-term goals. Firstly, it could (should!) be crushing your grades in high school. Secondly, look at goals like leading a school project or acing that part-time job. Down the line, your goals will shift to things like earning a degree, gaining experience, or even launching your own startup. Stay focused and determined, even when things get tough. Every challenge is a lesson that shapes your path to becoming a CEO.
How do you become a CEO: the road to the top
While your journey will be unique, here’s a fairly typical path someone might take to become a CEO:
| Entry-level job | Next, you might land a team leader or manager position. You’ll start running small teams or projects and get a taste of what it’s like to be a leader. |
| Mid-level role | Then, you might step into a chief operating officer (COO) or chief financial officer (CFO) role, managing key aspects of the company. You’re almost at the top! |
| Senior role | As you prove yourself, you could progress to a director or vice president role, where you oversee larger departments or several teams. |
| Executive role | With enough experience, drive and demonstrated leadership skills, you’ll hit the ultimate goal: chief executive officer. Get ready to lead the company and take charge. |
| CEO | With enough experience, drive and demonstrated leadership skills, you’ll hit the ultimate goal: chief executive officer. Get ready to lead the company and call the shots. |
Each stage prepares you for more responsibility and exposes you to different CEO roles and leadership challenges along the way.
How do you become a CEO? Start now!
Becoming a CEO starts with you! Work hard in your studies, build your leadership skills, and seize every opportunity for hands-on experience. Seek out mentors, stay curious and set goals. With the right mindset and lots of effort, you’ll be on your way to the top. Check out our bachelor’s degree to get started and reach out if you’ve got any questions. You could be the next big thing in business – so, let’s make it happen!
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