My Dilemma: Is School Vital To Be Successful?

**crackah** · 01-24-2009 06:03 PM

Goto school and uni.

If anything it can be a fall back. If your 25, have no qualifications and your ventures are kinda sucking.... Where are you going to go?

Also. Im going to be harsh here but all of your web stores are really average.
Judging by them, I say goto university.

Best of luck from a Uni Drop out

**Gene** · 01-24-2009 06:41 PM

Very true. It seems that schools only teach you how to memorize facts, not how to think for yourself.

**mikek** · 01-24-2009 09:07 PM

Yes, quit school if you want to be an entrepreneur. But what will you sell or do if you quit? Without knowledge you won't succeed especially with that effort you seem to have.

I want to be an entrepreneur too but I know I won't be anything without networking with others and learning about operations management, accoounting, marketing, finance, and other topics that I learn in University. Plus whats better than working for the one of the top 4 accounting firms, or an investment bank for 200K+

I have an opportunity to work for TD, GE or BMW, sure I'll take that! Then I'll think about my own business. Otherwise I can only consider physical labour jobs as my option. No thank you

**CybFun.com** · 01-24-2009 09:12 PM

It's not vital, but it's basic.

**VCNetwork** · 01-24-2009 09:15 PM

I am a college student at Oregon State University... I'm going to say school IS NOT VITAL to your success as an entrepreneur... but it depends what your long term goals are. Degrees are a fall back. In fact school hinders your creative mind without a doubt. It is safe to get at least an associates from a community college though. Also if your planning to be involved in business world you may want to take a speaking and writing class at a community college at the least.

**TylerBakerllc** · 01-24-2009 11:14 PM

I don't think that it is vital at all... However, it is a tool that is tremendously valuable and gives you the ability to build unique relationships...
-Tyler

**jcwhong** · 01-25-2009 01:38 AM

I'm biased because I'm currently getting my MBA right now, so of course I think that school is important.

It's not absolutely necessary; however, getting an education gives you something to fall back on if your business doesn't work out for you.

Furthermore, the contacts and network that you develop while you are in school can be vital for your business. In fact, you may even meet some talented people while in school to start a business with.

**VCNetwork** · 01-25-2009 03:45 AM

I think whong really got it right.. its all about the people you meet in college. Its social networking the "old school" way

**Gene** · 01-25-2009 10:10 AM

True, but why waste a lot of money meeting people, when you can do it almost for free someplace like here?

Originally Posted by VCNetwork

I think whong really got it right.. its all about the people you meet in college. Its social networking the "old school" way

**mthomas** · 01-25-2009 11:14 AM

I can see why a lot of people feel that school can hinder creativity, a lot of teaching styles doesn't necessarily encourage open mindedness.

However, the mental challenges that school offers you (if you really take full advantage of it) DOES really strengthen your intellect, and since it stretches your brain, it opens up new creative avenues for you to develop.

**Nordstrom** · 01-25-2009 11:23 AM

Like I mentioned in a thread last year. The only reason people go to school is so that the employers have some sort of "evaluation" of their general intellect
The first thing I heard when I started working in the subjects I read in college was "So, you will need a months reading and learning the ways we work before you can perform.". What I read and learnt was things that covered MORE than the whole college, and it was possible in a months hard(18 hours a day) learning.

Just ask these two questions;
What do I want in life?
How do I get there fastest/best?

As long as your answer is not 9-5 job for 30 years, you have made the right decision.

**nickhumph** · 01-25-2009 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by TheBigIdea

hey nickhumpf, here is what i go by ( and i think it might help you figure out what you want to do)

everytime someone tells u they want to go thru uni to get a good job at a top company, it's okayyyy to listen to them talk, but you have to form your own opinions.

and never take their word, because

1. they aren't experts. they're just like you, albeit with different backgrounds.
2. they're not successful yet. i mean, if they've been through it, then you could take a couple of pointers from them.
3. even if they've been thru it, say someone at McKinsey for 20 years, doesn't matter what the person tells you, because you're you, and you might not be happy working at McKinsey or some investment bank

4. and if ppl don't accept your ideas of eg, not going to college etc, don't listen to them, this is a free world, you can do whatever you want. I don't mean diving into a gorge, but your decisions must be based on your own reasoning (and being older really helps in decision making)

you continue to look for opportunities, by equipping yourself with knowledge, but keep in mind always be opportunistic, when the chance comes to start the own biz of yours that will turn a profit , do it by all means.

Hi there.
I agree with all what you've said.
I own 2 start-ups already.

thanks for your comments,
Nick.

**nickhumph** · 01-25-2009 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by milla

"Formal education will make you a living, but self education will make you a fortune." - Jim Rohn

Brilliant!

**nickhumph** · 01-25-2009 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by RLorenzen

Do you know how to use quantitative analysis? Do you have a solid understanding of organizational behavior? Do you know how to shape a capital structure policy? How about the capital asset pricing model? Business law? If not, stay in school.

And your saying these can't be learn't by reading a few blog articles or a decent book?

**nickhumph** · 01-25-2009 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by crackah

Goto school and uni.

If anything it can be a fall back. If your 25, have no qualifications and your ventures are kinda sucking.... Where are you going to go?

Also. Im going to be harsh here but all of your web stores are really average.
Judging by them, I say goto university.

Best of luck from a Uni Drop out

Hi, I totally understand and agree with you.

I am frightened of the fact that if business is a job/lifestyle that fails for me I'll be looking through bins on the street at 25.

I'm using these web stores as a tool as a "trial and error" basis on which I can integrate marketing plans, branding models, etc.

Hmm.. I am lost, there seems to be two split Yes/No answers here.. ahhh