Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon previously worked scooping ice cream at Baskin-Robbins and flipping burgers at McDonald’s during his teenage years [1].

These reflections on his early career offer a glimpse into the work ethic of one of the world's most powerful financial leaders. By highlighting his transition from service-industry roles to the helm of a global investment bank, Solomon provides a blueprint for discipline and time management aimed at younger generations.

Solomon's entry into the workforce was shaped by his father. After receiving a lesson on time management from his parent, Solomon decided to take on a second job to learn responsibility [1]. This drive led him to hold two jobs as a teenager [4] while simultaneously juggling three different sports [3].

In addition to his roles at the fast-food and ice cream chains, Solomon also worked as a DJ on the side [1]. This combination of employment and athletics established a pattern of high-activity scheduling that he has since leveraged in his professional life.

The CEO's history of early hustle serves as the foundation for his current advice to Gen Z workers. He said young professionals should stop wasting time and embrace the same level of rigor he applied during his youth [3].

While Solomon is now known for managing complex global portfolios and leading a major U.S. financial institution, his professional journey began with basic service tasks. The transition from the service sector to high finance underscores a narrative of upward mobility driven by a strict adherence to scheduling, and labor [1].

“Solomon held two jobs as a teenager while also juggling three sports.”

Solomon's public emphasis on his service-sector roots and 'hustle' culture reflects a broader corporate trend of executives framing their success through the lens of early hardship and discipline. By citing a paternal lesson on time management, Solomon aligns his leadership style with traditional values of productivity, potentially signaling a more rigorous expectation for the next generation of financial professionals.