On college and business success

[John_Taylor]

Just because I can't sleep, here's a mindless unfinished rant on college and business success, feel free to agree, disagree, cheer me on or condemn me an idiot. Not going to bother editing it....
Learning is essentially, I'm a voracious reader who cleaned out the entire town's library worth of business books . (heck, nothing wrong with being a bookworm). I started first business at 15, got funding for a video game company at 19 (turning 20 soon).
College is not. Personally, I enrolled in two years and I have no idea how some smart people could stand it.
I've heard a friend describe Yale as "surrounded by awe inspiring, dedicated people.
Impolitely I laughing out loud when I mentally compared my image with the picture he painted in my head.
Awe inspiring?
In one of our classes, we had to sit through a tutorial that taught us how to search for books in the library.
Ironically, college is the least intellectually inspiring place I've seen.
1) In a given class, 0 people are interested in topics of discussion, not even the professor (and who is to blame her?)
2) People need to be retold how to write in EACH tutorial and you HAVE to attend
3) You need to say Dr. Smith (insecure loser!)
4) Everyone thinks you're clueless on campus
I couldn't stand it, I dropped out to start my startup, and heck, no degree on my wall has not (I quote an article) "made me unable to apply concept to the real world".
I'm advising those who wish to start a company but are still in college to drop out unless you are at Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford....etc. If you are not there, it is just "a degree". "Everyone has a degree" anyways.
I advise you stay because you may meet some a business partner, since those places concentrate smart people.
Any other crappy old state college, maybe you'll meet someone, but you are just as likely to meet them at the grocery store and it's cheaper.
"Well, I know Bill Gates dropped out, but what about all the other people who didn't make it". Can you name someone who dropped out to start a startup, but now because he doesn't have a degree, he can't get back on his feet? I certainly can't.
I've been lectured God knows how many times on finishing, and developed these counter points to show off:
1) Job to fall back on-
This is the only semi legitimate one, a degree DOES increase your income.
Can you get a great job with Bill Gates's resume but no degree? I'm not sure to be honest. I know Fortune 500 companies will not take you traditionally as they screen by software. However, why someone would not hire someone who can turn a profit for them is beyond me.
2) Credibility- I've never seen anyone not want to work with someone because they did not have a (good) degree. Have you ever went and asked what degree someone has and then said "****, he's a president but doesn't have a degree? He must have lied his way up because he certainly must be an idiot....?"
3) You can't manage people if they have degrees:
What degree does your boss have? Your boss's boss? Did you check is credentials before working for him?
4) You can't apply concepts....:
Don't even go there. 18% of Forbes list have no degree and all are self made. How did they run companies without degrees???
So should you go to college or not?
Seriously, it depends on why you are going. If you want to go and have a good time, then heck why not. If you want to be a lawyer, you had better go. If you are hoping for "security" in case your business fails, to with it. Business success rate is not 10%, it's 50% to 90%(first year) depending on what you look at, so the odds aren't against you. And plus, what's the worst that can happen: a degree costs $52,000-135,000 and you ain't getting it back no matter how many A+s you get.

 

[spesmilitis]

Maybe if you had a college degree you would have known to use the search function, and/or learned the importance of blank space in writing.

Just playing. =p

For technology, a degree is essential. For anything else, its just a path.
Personally, if I were a business person, I would still go to college. College does have lots of good resources. For example:
-I would refine myself with history classes
-Refine my public speaking with clubs/classes
-Use my good GPA to land to good internships
-Join some business and/or entrepreneurship organizations
-Enroll in some kind of program. For example, my school offers a Technical Management program where you have to take certain courses and activities. It's no wimsy certificate. That program was friggin hard; I dropped out because of the commitment that was required. Activites included: taking part in business challenge games, designing products, proposing a business plan and actually try to get it funded.
-Develop connections at all these activities. Networking is key.

 

[John_Taylor]

Maybe if you had a college degree you would have known to use the search function, and/or learned the importance of blank space in writing.

Just playing. =p

For technology, a degree is essential. For anything else, its just a path.
Personally, if I were a business person, I would still go to college. College does have lots of good resources. For example:
-I would refine myself with history classes
-Refine my public speaking with clubs/classes
-Use my good GPA to land to good internships
-Join some business and/or entrepreneurship organizations
-Enroll in some kind of program. For example, my school offers a Technical Management program where you have to take certain courses and activities. It's no wimsy certificate. That program was friggin hard; I dropped out because of the commitment that was required. Activites included: taking part in business challenge games, designing products, proposing a business plan and actually try to get it funded.
-Develop connections at all these activities. Networking is key.

Hey, never told any prospective lawyers to quit school. Yeah I know, you can't be a professor with at least a Masters.
Depends on your college, of course. The only reason to go is as you say networking as you said, meet people you want to meet.

 

[mastersylar]

I think that a degree might make lenders take you more seriously when are trying to raise capital to start your own business. If you want to be a professional and own your own business (e.g. doctor's office) then you obviously need a degree.

But, most of the time a degree is a waste of time. Who wants to be a corporate clone. You are usually better off using those four years to start a business. There is a guy on another board who started his own construction business and now he makes over $100K. I am 24 with two degrees that are supposed to be "marketable" but I can't find a job.

Start now with a small internet business. That will help you to understand how to run a business without all the risk. After that move on to better things.

 

[Suicide]

Hey, never told any prospective lawyers to quit school. Yeah I know, you can't be a professor with at least a Masters.
Depends on your college, of course. The only reason to go is as you say networking as you said, meet people you want to meet.

And what school did you go to? My university is not like what you described in any way.

And why WOULDN'T you check and take into consideration the credentials of a prospective employer/boss? Anyone who doesn't is an idiot. You want someone who is potentially responsible for your success, and don't know anything about them? That makes no sense to me.

 

[John_Taylor]

And what school did you go to? My university is not like what you described in any way.

And why WOULDN'T you check and take into consideration the credentials of a prospective employer/boss? Anyone who doesn't is an idiot. You want someone who is potentially responsible for your success, and don't know anything about them? That makes no sense to me.

Either you can't read well or I can't write well....probably a bit of both.
I meant to say I haven't seen anyone not want to work for someone because they lacked a degree/MBA/PhD except in very specific cases. In general, experience speaks louder.

 

[John_Taylor]

I think that a degree might make lenders take you more seriously when are trying to raise capital to start your own business.

This is one of those things that is just impossible to pin point....who knows why the lender said "no". Is it because you don't have a degree or is it because you looked at his wife in a funny way....who knows? I've never heard someone been denied EXPLICITLY because they lacked a degree.

 

[Bible_Belt]

I quit school to be a stock broker, then went back a couple years later to finish. It was frustrating having 3 years of college, yet having to check "some college" on job apps. Hell, I had "some college" when I was 17. In regard to getting jobs, you either have a degree or you don't. There is not any middle ground.