Go back to school or not?

[John_Taylor]

Dear reader,
I just need your advice on something. I'm thinking how exactly to straighten life out a bit.

I just finished my first year college. I was studying engineering . I did fairly well in high school (top 5%) and I had already started a magazine business. So reasonable suceesful high school career.

I picked a major I had absolutely no interest in and hated every moment of it. Ridiculously large amounts of useless material to memorize. I just wasn't what I thought high tech startups would be all about.

I wanted to graduate with an impressive resume and family kept nagging me that I wasn't making any money.
I ended up starting a consulting company. I was doing very well, and the school supported me fairly strongly. I racked up some big clients (United way, own university) and a few media interviews. Proudly, I was interviewed alongside my University President.

My hope was to work fulltime while at school so I could graduate with 5 years of business experience.

My business just took too much time and I ended with no time for school. I tried cutting the hours but it just would not work out. I ended up flunking out of school (luckily not by too much).

That is not my main concern as I have connections so that they should let me back (I'm guessing based on my good high school record and good early performance). However, even if they let me back in school, so what?

Problem is, even if I get back, I'm stuck in a mediocre school for business anyways, and I'm not even sure if the degree is worth another 3 years of my life.

I can make money, I started my own business when I was 15 (real business with actual marketing plans and strategy). I read over 300 books on the subject.

The particular consulting firm I have wasn't making much money, but we had impressive clients. I know I can and should be able to make good money without schooling, I'm starting to think it might not be worth 3 more years of my life.

The other problems is parents that will not shut up. Its not so much I care what others think, but I want some peach and quiet sometimes.


Again, the business I just finished isn't really worth me quitting school over. But the thing is, can I get somethign even more than that? I'm starting to wonder whether to even bother finishing school.........

 

[John_Taylor]

anyone?

 

[spider_007]

we can't make the decision for you

one side;

-you have something to back you up (in case the buisness fails)
-you have parents off your back
-you have an impresive reume/presige (sp?)

other side

-School is orientated for folowers, not leaders (just the way classes are) and lot of rich people didn't finish degrees and sh*t.
-you already have a buisness that makes you money (enough to live comforatabley???)


I guess what you have to consider is, what can you live with, and what are your plans for the future...

 

[GirlCrazy]

The old saying: "Wherever you go, go with all your heart" comes to mind.

I'd pick one and stick to it. Both have advantages, but only you can say what's best for you. There are many different paths to success, and they all lead to the same place if you have the mojo to see it through.

My best friend has a successful computer consulting company, and he doesn't have a degree. He took the "it's not what you know, it's who you know" philosophy and ran with it. He starting using social networking like crazy. He's a member of the local chamber of commerce, rotary club, etc. It took about a year for his strategy to pay off though, and during that year he barely survived. But now he's his own boss, and with all his business contacts, his company is thriving.

 

[Nocturnal]

What do you want out of a career, is the question. Will running a business make you happy, or are you only in it for money? What would you want out of school? If you're going to go to school for 3 years just to get a degree that's going to mean nothing to you, then is it worth it? If you're going to school because there is, or you think there is, something that you would love to do more, then it wouldn't be a bad choice.

You have to figure out what you want, what your different options will give you, and whether the cost is worth it.

 

[John_Taylor]

well im going back to school for a year at least. Thing is, I just didn't want to work on my previous business anymore. It provided me with alot of contacts but not much money. Definitely not enough to live.


However, I'm not sure if I should bother finishing my degree. I'm wondering if I could possible get good job (at least 70,000+) without it given my conditions.

I'm confident I can grow a company to six to seven figures at least. I started my first real business when I was 15, grew a magazine to seven people while in high school, and started the first consulting firm targeting charities (was both youngest magazine owner AND consulting firm owner in the city)

The down side is I didn't really have any company that made mega bucks or anything, but then again I'm just 18. I could definitely make more and I can see it. If I don't bother with finishing school, you think I could get a good corporate job in case business fails?

 

[John_Taylor]

What do you want out of a career, is the question. Will running a business make you happy, or are you only in it for money? What would you want out of school? If you're going to go to school for 3 years just to get a degree that's going to mean nothing to you, then is it worth it? If you're going to school because there is, or you think there is, something that you would love to do more, then it wouldn't be a bad choice.

You have to figure out what you want, what your different options will give you, and whether the cost is worth it.

Good question:

To your first statement, NO, not just in it for the money. It's the thrill associated with it.

Degree meaningless to me? I'm not sure if I could (even IF I grow successful business) get a good job without it, that all even given my business experience.

I'd like to ask you say WORST case scenerio, if I start a really neat business but its a complete financial faliure, how will the count towards my resume? I had three innovative businesses so far, made a lot of good contacts, but none were MAJOR financial successes. Although I have appeared in the media 3 times for the last venture (alongisde my university president yipee!)

 

[Nocturnal]

EDIT: Oops, I posted this before you replied to my post. Also, I'm not really the best person to ask about business (I'm not a businessman.. there are a few of those here who might be better suited to help you with those kinds of questions). I do know that businesses fail all the time. Many of the most successful businessmen had to start over half a dozen or a dozen times. I really wouldn't worry about a failed business being a bad thing for your resume. If anything, an employer probably would like to see that you have initiative and motivation.

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You shouldn't be worried so much about "what in case I fail." What you should really be thinking about is how to do what you love to do or have an interest in. It doesn't matter what you do, if you love your work, you will find a way to put food on your table and pay the bills. Most people hate their jobs, so the competition will be pretty weak. Also, you've already shown that you are self motivated. That is enough that you shouldn't have to worry about "not making it" in whatever you do.

As far as business goes, you're young, businesses are tough to build from the ground up. If it's what you want, give it time and effort and it will work out.

 

[John_Taylor]

anyone else?