Many people wonder what a successful person’s resume looked like before they became famous. Bill Gates, known for co-founding Microsoft and his philanthropy, once had a resume just like any other young job seeker.
Seeing a young Bill Gates’ resume gives readers insight into the early career mindset of someone who later changed the world. Looking at his early professional document can inspire those starting their own journeys and show that everyone begins somewhere.
1) Education background at Lakeside School
Bill Gates attended Lakeside School in Seattle, Washington. This private preparatory school is known for its strong academic programs and focus on student development. At Lakeside, students had unique access to early computer technology, which helped spark Gates’ interest in computing and programming at a young age. Lakeside School also encouraged curiosity and independent learning, allowing Gates to explore advanced subjects and problem-solving skills alongside his regular studies.
During his years at Lakeside, Gates was introduced to basic coding and computer use on a Teletype terminal connected to a General Electric mainframe. This early hands-on experience played a major role in shaping his technical skills. It was at Lakeside that he met Paul Allen, who later became co-founder of Microsoft. Their collaboration began with projects such as writing programs to schedule school classes and analyze traffic data, showing the school’s practical approach to learning.
Lakeside’s commitment to technology and academic excellence made it an ideal setting for students with strong interests in science, math, and innovation. Many students gained access to tools and projects rarely found in most schools at that time. These opportunities proved instrumental for Gates when he started developing the skills and passion needed for his later achievements in the tech sector.
For readers wanting to showcase a similar educational background on a resume, RoboApply makes it simple. Use its AI resume builder to highlight any private school accomplishments, advanced coursework, or special projects. Below is a ready-to-use resume entry for Bill Gates’ time at Lakeside School:
Lakeside School, Seattle, WA
Attended: 1967–1973
- Completed advanced coursework in mathematics, science, and computer programming
- Gained coding experience on Teletype terminal and General Electric computer
- Founded and led Lakeside computer club
- Collaborated on software projects, including scheduling school classes
- Met Paul Allen, future Microsoft co-founder, and began long-term technical collaboration
For more on Lakeside’s influence, see this guide on Bill Gates’ education background at Lakeside School.
2) Early computer programming skills
Bill Gates started learning computer programming at the age of 13. He first gained access to a computer at his school, where he worked with the PDP-10 mainframe. Gates quickly became interested in programming and spent many hours writing and testing code.
One of his first projects was a simple tic-tac-toe game where players could compete against the computer. This experience gave him practical skills in logical thinking and coding. As Gates improved, he learned several programming languages and became able to solve real-world problems through software.
In high school, Gates worked on a traffic counting program with his future business partner, Paul Allen. They built a company called Traff-O-Data. Their software helped traffic engineers study and improve city traffic flow. Gates’ strong programming skills were clear early on, and his resume from that time highlights his growing expertise.
Having these accomplishments on a resume shows real results and hands-on experience. For students or job seekers today, including detailed examples like Gates did can set a resume apart. Using tools like RoboApply’s AI resume builder makes it easy to present early tech projects and skills in a way that grabs attention and passes automated screening.
Example resume entry from young Bill Gates:
Computer Programmer Intern
Lakeside School, Seattle, WA
1970 – 1973
- Developed a working tic-tac-toe game using BASIC on a PDP-10 mainframe
- Collaborated with team to analyze and improve code efficiency
- Assisted faculty and other students with programming tasks
- Co-created custom programs for school and community projects
3) Interest in software development
Bill Gates discovered his interest in software development when he was just 13 years old. He started learning to program on early computers, showing natural curiosity and talent at a young age. His early exposure to coding helped lay the foundation for his later success with Microsoft.
While still in school, Gates wrote his first computer program, a simple tic-tac-toe game. This project showed not just basic programming ability, but also creative problem-solving skills. His passion for building real, working software became clear from this early work.
A strong interest in software development can make a resume stand out, especially for young applicants. RoboApply’s AI resume builder helps highlight these kinds of skills and interests in a professional format that hiring managers notice. Using RoboApply can also help organize early projects and coding experience to make them easy to read on a resume.
Here is a full plain-text resume example focused on early software development experience:
Bill Gates
Seattle, WA
billg@email.com
(555) 123-4567
EDUCATION
Lakeside School, Seattle, WA
Graduated: 1973
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Programming Languages: BASIC, Fortran
- Software Development
- Problem Solving
PROJECTS
Tic-Tac-Toe Game
- Designed and coded a fully playable tic-tac-toe game in BASIC for the school’s computer terminal
- Allowed other students to play versus the computer
- Improved code efficiency and user experience
ACTIVITIES
- Computer Club Member
- Assisted peers with learning basic coding concepts
- Collaborated on small software projects with classmates
RoboApply makes it fast to build and format resumes like this, even for students just starting out in software development. For more details on Gates’s early programming interest, visit this page about how he began programming computers at age 13.
4) Experience with computer clubs and projects
Bill Gates gained crucial early experience by joining computer clubs and working on small programming projects. These clubs gave him access to computers and allowed him to meet people with similar interests. Through these activities, he learned new languages, practiced coding, and built skills that later helped him start Microsoft.
One of his most valuable experiences was with the Lakeside School Computer Club. There, he used the school’s computer terminal to experiment with BASIC programming. Working closely with other students, especially Paul Allen, Gates contributed to projects that logged school schedules and helped automate school processes.
Gates also started taking contract work before college. For example, he and Paul Allen worked on a project to create a program for counting traffic data for local Seattle authorities. This project, called Traff-O-Data, gave Gates his first taste of business and software development outside a classroom. You can read a bit more about Gates’s early projects and computer club experiences if you want background for your resume or cover letter.
RoboApply can help list these experiences clearly on any resume. Its AI resume builder quickly organizes club roles, project details, and accomplishments, making student projects stand out to recruiters.
Example for resume use:
EXPERIENCE
Lakeside School Computer Club
Member and Programmer, 1968–1973
- Programmed in BASIC using school computer terminal
- Worked with team to automate class schedules
- Collaborated on club programming projects
Traff-O-Data
Co-Founder and Programmer, 1973–1974
- Developed software to process traffic data for Seattle area
- Worked with partner on software design and testing
- Helped deliver working product to local government
5) Inclusion of height and weight on resume
Including height and weight on a resume was more common in past decades, but is not recommended today. These physical details do not affect a person’s skills or qualifications for most jobs. Including them can even be viewed as unprofessional or irrelevant according to modern resume standards.
Bill Gates famously listed his height and weight on his 1974 resume when he was a student at Harvard. You can see this example mentioned in several sources, such as in this summary of Bill Gates’ 1974 resume. At the time, he included:
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 130 lbs
Today, the safest approach is to leave out physical details like height and weight. Instead, focus on work experience, education, and skills that match the job. Modern resume tools such as RoboApply help filter out outdated or unnecessary information, making it easy to create a clean, professional resume that meets today’s hiring standards. RoboApply’s AI resume builder can check your document for old-fashioned details and give tips to improve your format.
6) Listing of leadership roles in school
Listing school leadership roles on a resume helps show responsibility, teamwork, and initiative at a young age. These positions let employers see early signs of drive and the ability to take charge. When describing these roles, the key is to focus on the title, responsibilities, and results.
Below is a full-length example of how to present a school leadership position on a resume. This sample can be used as-is or customized to fit an individual’s personal achievements or school activities.
Example:
President, Lakeside School Computer Club
September 1971 – June 1973
- Led 15-member club in hands-on programming projects and coding competitions
- Organized weekly coding workshops, increasing club attendance by 40%
- Coordinated with school staff to secure computer lab access for members
- Inspired fellow students to explore technology and learn new programming languages
RoboApply recommends providing details that show clear action and measurable outcomes, making each leadership experience stand out. Using the RoboApply resume builder, users can easily format their leadership roles and ensure all descriptions are clear, concise, and eye-catching for employers. For extra polish, RoboApply’s ATS resume score optimizer also checks that these critical roles help your resume get noticed.
When listing leadership roles, always start with your title and organization name, then use bullet points to highlight achievements. This method keeps each entry neat and easy for hiring managers to review. For more ideas, see how other leaders feature school activities on their resumes at sites like this resume example of young Bill Gates.
7) Passion for technology and innovation
Bill Gates’s early resume shows a strong and genuine interest in technology and innovation. He was fascinated by computers from a young age. This passion drove him to spend countless hours learning computer programming and trying out new ideas.
He demonstrated initiative by seeking out challenges, like using his school’s computer lab and collaborating with peers on real-world projects. When writing a resume, it’s important to highlight any personal projects, club involvement, or competitions that reflect a true interest in the field.
Using tools like RoboApply can help users emphasize their unique skills and experiences. RoboApply’s AI resume builder can suggest ways to clearly present achievements related to technology and innovation on a resume.
Example:
PASSION FOR TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Since age 13, dedicated to learning computer programming. Built school scheduling software as a side project at Lakeside School. Developed early software solutions for local businesses. Participated in computer clubs and team coding competitions. Always eager to explore new technology trends and apply them to real-world problems.
Ready to take on fast-paced, cutting-edge work environments.
8) Noting Harvard University enrollment
Listing Harvard University on a resume catches attention and boosts credibility. For young Bill Gates, showing his enrollment as a first-year Harvard student highlighted both strong academic achievement and admission to a world-class school. This move gives the resume immediate weight, especially for candidates early in their careers.
When building a resume using a tool like RoboApply, users can easily add their own education section and highlight top institutions just like Gates did. RoboApply’s AI resume builder even formats academic history to make each entry stand out in automated screening.
Example of a strong education section, inspired by Bill Gates’ youthful resume:
Education
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Candidate for Bachelor of Arts, Applied Mathematics
September 1973 – Present
Coursework included Advanced Mathematics, Computer Science, and Economics. Maintained strong academic standing. Participated in student technology clubs.Noting a prestigious university helps readers spot dedication and potential. For job seekers today, this type of entry remains powerful and clear. Restating your educational stage—such as “First-Year Student” or “Incoming Freshman”—can be helpful if you have not yet finished your degree, just as Gates did in his early resume from Harvard.
9) Decision to drop out of Harvard
Bill Gates decided to leave Harvard during his sophomore year, when he was just 19 years old. The choice was not easy; Harvard is seen as one of the best universities in the world. However, Gates saw a major opportunity in the fast-growing computer industry and believed he could make a bigger impact outside of school.
Gates and his friend Paul Allen realized there was a need for personal computer software. To focus full-time on building what would soon become Microsoft, Gates officially withdrew from Harvard in 1975. This move let him dedicate all his time and energy to his business idea and take advantage of the upcoming technology wave.
His decision to drop out was a turning point that led to the creation of Microsoft and changed the software industry forever. Even though he left without finishing his degree, Gates has said he does not regret his decision because it allowed him to pursue his passion at the right moment.
If you’re thinking about leaving school to chase a new opportunity, use tools like RoboApply to help make powerful resumes or cover letters so you can stand out. RoboApply’s resume builder and job search toolkit make it easier to put your best foot forward if you’re taking a nontraditional career path.
Copy-and-paste example for a resume entry, based on Gates’s real decision:
Education
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
September 1973 – 1975
Coursework: Mathematics, Computer Science
Achieved advanced standing and completed significant coursework in computer science and mathematics before leaving to co-found Microsoft and pursue software development full time.
10) Co-founding Microsoft at a young age
Bill Gates co-founded Microsoft when he was only 19 years old. This bold move required strong technical skills, business sense, and the drive to take risks early in life. His age did not stop him from setting clear goals and moving quickly to build a major technology company.
At such a young age, Gates and his co-founder Paul Allen focused on creating software for personal computers. They saw an opportunity before most people and acted fast. Microsoft began as a small startup but grew rapidly because of their vision and hard work. Their decision to co-found the company while still in their teens is now seen as a turning point for the tech industry.
Anyone trying to highlight achievements on a resume can learn from Gates. Presenting major, age-defying milestones helps a young person stand out. Using AI resume tools like RoboApply can also make it easier to showcase this experience in a way that impresses recruiters.
Here is a complete, ready-to-use resume example describing early Microsoft co-founding for a young professional:
Bill Gates
Seattle, WA
bill.gates@email.com | (555) 123-4567
EDUCATION
Harvard University (Attended 1973–1975)
EXPERIENCE
Co-Founder, Microsoft
Albuquerque, NM | 1975–1980
- Launched a software company at age 19, developing early programming languages for personal computers
- Led initial product development and business partnerships
- Helped set company vision, recruit team, and manage operations
- Grew team from 2 to 30+ employees within 5 years
- Contributed to key contracts with major manufacturers
SKILLS
Programming, Startup Leadership, Product Development, Business Strategy
RoboApply users can highlight achievements like these on their resumes and get instant feedback on keyword optimization, formatting, and impact. RoboApply also checks grammar and helps maximize the chances of passing resume screening software.
Starting young and showing real results, as Gates did, makes any application more competitive and memorable. For more about Gates’ early programming start, see details on how he began programming computers at age 13.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bill Gates’ early resume includes academic details from his time at Lakeside School, notable programming skills, and mention of unique personal information. His early interests and projects shaped his path in technology and entrepreneurship.
What notable achievements were listed on Bill Gates’ resume by the age of 18?
By 18, Bill Gates’ resume highlighted impressive programming abilities, including experience with languages like FORTRAN and BASIC, as well as familiarity with early computers such as the PDP-10. He participated in school computer projects and was active in technology clubs, which were significant for someone at that age. For more context, see details on his early expertise in programming.
Which companies did Bill Gates work for or start in his early career?
In his teenage years, Bill Gates started building his career by co-founding Traf-O-Data, a company focused on traffic data analysis. This early startup gave him practical business and technical experience before he later co-founded Microsoft. These early ventures can be documented directly in tools like RoboApply’s resume builder to outline leadership and technical skills.
What educational background is detailed on Bill Gates’ resume?
Bill Gates’ resume from his youth listed his education at Lakeside School in Seattle. There, he developed his passion for computers and technology. Including specific schools, academic achievements, and related projects directly in a resume can be managed through RoboApply’s AI-guided resume builder for clear presentation.
How did Bill Gates’ early life experiences contribute to his success?
Gates’ early exposure to computers at Lakeside School, along with supportive teachers and peers, played a key role in his later achievements. His participation in programming clubs and real-world projects gave him practical skills that set the foundation for his future in software and business.
In what ways did Bill Gates’ activities at 13 influence his future career?
At age 13, Gates gained access to a computer at school and started programming. By solving real problems and building projects, he learned valuable skills used throughout his career. Including early accomplishments on a resume can help job seekers demonstrate long-term passion when using RoboApply’s resume grammar checker or optimizer tools.
What skills and hobbies did Bill Gates include on his resume during his teenage years?
Gates listed computer programming and involvement in computer clubs among his skills and hobbies. Unusually, he also included personal details like his height and weight, a common practice at the time but unnecessary now. For modern resumes, RoboApply helps users focus on skills and relevant extracurricular activities that improve application success rates.
