Graduate school or business venture???

**dmanzaro** · 09-26-2007 02:42 PM

im in my second year of undergrad. school and i know it might be a little to early to think about this but i just wanted to hear some suggestions. right now im majoring in business management and i hope to someday own and run a business. right now so many business ideas are running through my head but im not sure if i should attend graduate school or try and start something up right after undergrad. school?? any suggestions?? can anyone relate to this situation?? thanks!!

**jasaunders** · 09-26-2007 02:49 PM

Why can't you do both? Who says they are mutually exclusive?
There are definately students who run their own business while attending grad school, especially MBA students, if this is the route you are planning.

**dmanzaro** · 09-26-2007 03:41 PM

yes i plan to get my mba if i attend graduate school. however, the university im at now doesn't offer entrepreneurial studies as a major or minor like some institutes do. would it be better for me to study entrepreneurial studies in grad school or business administration (management)?? thanks for the advice i guess i could go to grad school and start up a business!!

**jawzishere** · 09-26-2007 06:27 PM

I just read an article about a similar question (Wish I could remember where I read it). Apparently there's an increasing trend of college grads going straight into the workforce for major firms instead of getting their MBA and businesses are caring less if you have your MBA. All they care about is competency and being able to do the job successfully which some ambitious grads are pulling off just fine.

For them, getting a six figure job right out of college makes an MBA pretty much not worth it in many cases.

I know that wasn't your exact question but thought it might be interesting.

If you're really confident in your skills and know you will achieve I'd definitely go out on your own instead of MBA.

As one member's sig here eloquently states (or something along these lines) "Formal teaching makes you a living, Self teaching makes you a fortune" and it's so true in many instances so yea I dunno I'd say do whatever makes you happier or if you can handle it go ahead and do both.

**dmanzaro** · 09-26-2007 07:54 PM

thanks for the info and great advice ill def take that into consideration when the time comes

**zoobie** · 09-26-2007 08:26 PM

Best of luck to you. If you can do both at the same time, great! But if not, studies will be the top priority.

**CEO Space World** · 09-26-2007 09:29 PM

I am all for getting education at any level. Regardless of whether it is formal education or not is up to you.

The most successful people always continue learning and read books and attend seminars or some type of training on a regular schedule.

Having said that, I personally think that venturing out on your own and starting a business is the only way to go. And as others said, you could do both.

The main thing about starting a business is to have a plan, have a team and to have enough capital to make it.

Best of luck in whatever you do.

**dmanzaro** · 09-26-2007 11:05 PM

thanks a lot!!

**allysa** · 09-27-2007 05:22 AM

I agree with CEO Space World. Planning is very important. I would suggest that you may do both. Also you may apply your learnings from school to your business. Good luck.

**jasaunders** · 09-27-2007 08:07 AM

No matter what concentration you have as a graduate student in an MBA program, you will still be required to take core classes that will help you and future businesses you pursue. Core classes typically include managerial accounting, marketing, business conditions analysis, operations management, organizational behavior and managerial effectiveness, some HR related class, a micro econ class, management of IT, and others. My point being, it doesn't matter what you concentrate in to get your basic skills. If you want to pursue entrepreneurship, this really only entails taking 3-6 classes in that, because you really need the background first.

Anyways, you have a ton of time before you have to decide. Unless you have phenominal grades in undergrad from a good school, it is very hard to get into a decent MBA program without solid work experience first.

And like I said, you don't have to make a choice between running a business and going to school. I know lots of people that do both (including myself). Not only do the classes help you run your business, but your business helps you relate more to the material in class.