Are you ashamed you don't have a college degree?

**truesouth** · 10-22-2010 11:07 AM

I am conflicted at times about this subject. I am pretty adamant a college degree is not worth the paper it is written on by itself. On the other hand, when I see a persons academic credentials it makes me think I should go back to college to get those degrees.

There is a big perception in the U.S. that a degree somehow makes you better able to do whatever it is you want to specialize in. Even those who get a degree in general studies there is some kind of perception that they earned a degree and therefore are smart.
Another myth that is highly perpetuated is that people who earn college degrees earn $1,000,000 more than those who don't. When a major tv show(can't remember if it was 20/20 or not), asked where did this assumption come from. The department heads said they don't know where those numbers came from.

Anybody here has a college degree because it is the vogue thing to do?

**Mega B** · 10-22-2010 11:39 AM

I left school years ago and i have to say with the minimum amount of exams and certainly no degree,can you make it in the business world without a degree my answer would be 'yes' does a degree make it easier to get to the top in a company i would say yes but i still say its not necessary to succeed in starting youir own business.

**Parvaze** · 10-22-2010 07:00 PM

I'm a high school drop put and have founded two multi-million dollar companies. Once in a blue moon I'll think about my lack of formal education, but I don't for a second regret the experiences I've had in business that helped me build my companies rather than spending that time in a classroom.

With that said, I think that each person has to make their own decisions regarding how much formal education they would like to have as some people do better in a structured learning environment and others learn what they need when they need to and/or find people with the skills they are lacking to assist them.

**generationy** · 10-23-2010 04:47 PM

Well one of the things that I always say is that education is supposed to help you in your career. If it is getting in the way of your career, DROP IT! What that means is that if you are involved with a startup that is on its way to becoming a HUGE success, drop out! That is your career and most likely something you are passionate about and will remain passionate for sometime. Right? There are numerous examples of famous entrepreneurs dropping out and making it BIG. Doesn't mean all drop outs succeed but make the choice that will be of most benefit to YOU! Good luck!

**Gpaje** · 10-23-2010 08:43 PM

I wouldn't be ashamed, I went to college and I don't remember anything. To be honest, most of my success in business has been from experience out in the field.

**SCJeff** · 10-24-2010 01:00 PM

Not at all, I'm kind of in the process of getting myself out there. I'm 19, and went through one year of college. I finished this past spring semester and had enough of it. It was not worth it to me and I honestly felt a little stupid being there with some of those people in my classes.

So I'm in the process of taking some "technical" classes for audio engineering and recording arts. And creating a website to help bands and artists into becoming successful themselves. Along with doing photography for artists and bands and doing some promotions and marketing locally; I'm making enough to support myself, and that's all I really want.

When I talk to some people that are in college or who have a degree I'm really shocked sometimes at how "stupid" they actually are. And then I think, I would be put into the same category as them had I decided to finish.

Unless you want to be some sort of doctor, lawyer, teacher, or engineer...you really don't "need" a degree.

**webhead** · 10-24-2010 08:16 PM

my opinion career wise you're better off with degree but if you want to start your own business or have aspirations to be in business for yourself there are lots of other personal traits in my opinion that are way more important than having a degree.

**igaryok** · 11-03-2010 05:42 AM

Here is a great article on that. The article talks about MBA but the same principles should still apply to people without a degree altogether.

**jlspartz** · 11-03-2010 08:47 AM

Although I do not own my own company yet, I did not need the degree to get where I am. The only time it ever comes up is in an interview. And then I tell them all the self-studying and learning I do. They can't even find someone out of college that knows the same stuff - I used to train everyone else.

I'm not sure if it makes a difference in pay, since I'm paid more than double what the others my age in my field are making. I think the difference in pay is really just a general outlook on motivation. Typically those that went to college have slightly more motivation than those that didn't and strive for a better job or to pay off their school debt

Either way, I don't think that piece of paper means much when you take time and build the skills to educate yourself throughout your life, instead of paying someone to force you to learn and then blame your employer for not keeping you up to date with the latest practices.

**avelina** · 11-04-2010 05:03 AM

To reach at top you need only two things
1. A great Idea
2. Firm determination to work on that idea.

No doubt, degrees polish your personality, management skills and the way you treat the world around you with lot of awareness and some skills.

But if you are businessman by natural talent, you don't need any degree. You just need a great idea to work on. Bill gates was dropped out from Harvard University but he became the richest person by improvising the technology for the world.

**Carlos™** · 11-04-2010 08:46 PM

I'm running a business and still don't have a degree. So, no. I don't think it means that your venture fails.

And I have always thought it doesn't matter if you have a degree or not, and you want to start your business.

So, no, I'm not ashamed!

**WFPS** · 11-05-2010 01:13 AM

I dropped out my second year of College, I didn't see a point in it. If learning is what I am after, I can do that online, and for free. I will never have a career working for anyone so having a piece of paper worth 50k saying I went to college made no sense to me.

Do what you feel is right in life, every time. This felt right to me.

**avelina** · 11-05-2010 02:43 AM

Here are photos of some famous and successful college dropouts

15 Successful College Dropouts (PHOTOS)

**Anthony Tori** · 11-05-2010 11:29 AM

My degree got me a job that I wasn't happy at. I started going to Google University and teaching myself. Now I'm doing things I'm passionate about. I guess it's good to have the "traditional" education, but in 10 years a 4 year degree will be outdated within years. If you haven't read the book, "The 2020 Workplace" check it out. Also check out TED and watch some videos on education.

**Filtrepreneur** · 11-07-2010 01:19 AM

I am an undergraduate i only reached upto 3rd year of college, because my girlfriend (my wife now) got pregnant.
Having a degree in our way of living here in the philippines isnt that important really..

My mom loaned me a business budget.. of 200k PHP, to set up my own computershop.
its a tough choice. but if your a wise thinker.. you can end up succesfull..