Conversation so far:
Did Irving Thalberg work for universal?
Irving Thalberg found work as a secretary with Universal Studios' New York office
Did Irving Thalberg have other jobs with universal besides being secretary with Universal Studios' New York office?
Irving Thalberg later became personal secretary to the studio's founder and president, Carl Laemmle.
What did Irving Thalberg do at universal?
Among Irving Thalberg's duties were transcribing and editing notes that Laemmle had written during screenings of his films.
What happened to Irving Thalberg while at universal?
Laemmle took Irving Thalberg to see his Los Angeles production facility
Why did Laemmle go to California with Thalberg?
Laemmle took Thalberg to see his Los Angeles production facility, where Thalberg spent a month watching how movie production worked.
What did Thalberg suggest to Laemmle about movie production?
Thalberg suggested, The first thing you should do is establish a new job of studio manager and give him the responsibility of watching day-to-day operations. Laemmle immediately agreed
What other responsibilities did Irving Thalberg have aside from  watching day-to-day operations?
At age 20, Irving Thalberg became responsible for immediately overseeing the nine ongoing film productions and nearly thirty scenarios then under development.
What did Irving Thalberg do after taking charge and immediately oversseing the nine ongoing film productions at Universal?
He quickly established his tenacity as he battled with well-known director Erich von Stroheim over the length of Foolish Wives.

Question: Was he successful at the job?
Self-contained rewrite: Was Irving Thalberg successful at the head production job at Universal?