Comments on: Is College Worth it for Entrepreneurs?

By: JT

JT — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:20:41 +0000

This is a debate that will never end.
Personally, I found college a complete waste of time in terms of learning. If I were to do it over, I would have never gone to college and instead just started my business straight out of high school. College doesn’t eliminate any risk for you, you are NOT guaranteed a nice comfy job even with an excellent resume. Actually, you may not receive a nice comfy job BECAUSE you have an awesome resume. Just ask Dennis Kucinich, he was mayor at 31 of Cleavland and possesses a masters degree. For many years after he was dirt poor and struggled to find employment (ouch!).
I’m not trying to be pessimistic, in fact quite the opposite. I don’t think you should make a plan that focuses on “what happens if I fail, what job do I have to fall back on”, this may be an illusion. Instead, realize that the best job security in the world is money. You can start a business, you can start a social project, you can run for senate, you can give it to me.

By: Corey Kossack

Corey Kossack — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:52:18 +0000

College was a good experience and it gave me the time to explore some options while starting my first business during my 2nd year of College. Could you be a successful entrepreneur without it…? You bet!

By: Is college worth it? | Business in General

Is college worth it? | Business in General — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:36:57 +0000

[...] I may be beating a dead horse with this post, but it is really interesting to me to see some of the recent posts about college and questioning whether getting a degree is worth it. Campus Entrepreneurship countered the WSJ article about the declining value of a college degree and how it no longer guarantees a certain wage level. And Tim Berry discussed a post from YoungEntrepreneur.com regarding whether or not college is worth the time for an entrepreneurial minded individual. [...]

By: bizsugar.com

bizsugar.com — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:44:11 +0000

Is College Worth it for Entrepreneurs?

Another great post asking the question: is college even worth it if you’re going to be an entrepreneur?

By: Erica DeWolf

Erica DeWolf — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:24:00 +0000

I have very strong feelings about this. I have openly discussed my frustrations with today’s college experience in past posts of my own. I am a self-taught internet entrepreneur. 90% of what I do today, I learned to do myself. Only 10% I learned in college. I taught myself by getting online, attending online webinars or local seminars, reading blog posts and articles, and watching online tutorials.

However, having a degree is extremely important in terms of credibility today- I think in 20 years it will even be worse. People will expect you to have a master’s degree in addition to your undergraduate degree. Maybe it has nothing to do with education- perhaps students just simply aren’t ready to embark on their own careers, I don’t know.

But we live in a world where if you don’t go to college, and you’re just starting out with your own business, you may get less respect and less business from clients. However if you had a degree on your resume…those 10 or so little worlds can give you a world of opportunity. So yes, I think college is worth it for entrepreneurs- if not just for the experience, for the little words on paper when you’re finally done.

I do think that the whole college experience and curriculum needs to be drastically revamped in order to prepare students fully for life after graduation. I agree with the concept that experience is much more helpful and beneficial than a college education. However, both would be ideal!

By: Jared Hutchings

Jared Hutchings — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:02:00 +0000

Nice post Evan. I’m biased in this of oucrse, but I would only add that a student get involved with Peer (peervp.com) or something like it that gives you ‘real world’ exposure to deals as well as capital to start something while in school. I think the risk profile/life style of a student and the exposure (as you mention) to several different disciplines can help many entrepreneurs, but to me most of the college system is about turning out soldiers for corporate America and is just now migrating to a more entrepreneurial friendly place.

By: In Small Business, Is It About College or Training? « social venture labs

In Small Business, Is It About College or Training? « social venture labs — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:16:55 +0000

[...] I was randomly going through articles on Startups at Alltop and came across Is College Worth it For Entrepreneurs? at youngentrepreneur.com. [...]

By: Mario D.

Mario D. — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:26:43 +0000

I started a business out of highschool and never went on to college. I think the way I think is a little less conformed and is actually a benefit. Education in itself is important and if you are not going to college then you should be prepared to do your own studies. Libraries and bookstores across the country will give you the knowledge you need but you have to have the discipline to take advantage of them. You can focus on exactly what you need at the time. Never stop learning but keep your head out of the box!

By: lynette

lynette — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:25:55 +0000

informative and very interesting

By: Dan Root

Dan Root — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:50:28 +0000

I often find myself asking this question too. However, college is great for “learning”. I love to learn new trades and skills. After I learn something, then my entrepreneurial side begins to think: how can I make this a great business?