school vs self-learning

[ndrom]

its free if you check out books at your local library or read free info on the net or meet a business person that is willing to teach you what he or she knows to become successful...then it would be free.

Looking at it, there is costs involved. Everything from gas, to internet, even the incurred cost by not working (opportunity cost).

I'm not saying self-teaching isn't cost effective--my point is, nothing is really free.

I think that when considering a lot of the pro and cons, you need to consider personality traits, like willingness to learn, drive, and discipline.

[byrneof]

For entrepreneurs self learning is the best. For regular civilians school learning is better.

[DerekS]

its free if you check out books at your local library or read free info on the net or meet a business person that is willing to teach you what he or she knows to become successful...then it would be free.

You're misunderstanding his statement. He's talking about opportunity cost- the time spent on self-learning could be spent on formal education, or anything else.

Opportunity costs affects you every minute of your life. Every second of your life you are making decisions as to how the next second will be spent- either to your benefit or your detriment.

[CalebHQ]

The last three comments were already answered by my second comment.

[DerekS]

The last three comments were already answered by my second comment.

Hat's off to you.

[ndrom]

The last three comments were already answered by my second comment.

What (I believe) DerekS and I are trying to say is, although, it may seem like it is close to free, it really isn't, and shouldn't be looked at as such by entrepreneurs.

[e-roc]

School taught me the language of business. And it tought me team collaboration and case study exploration. I have some great employees, but they dont speak the language that they need to speak here. And retail is a language. one that is governed by terms, and ratios, and formulas.

Plus, the network i developed in school has already paid for the tuition that it cost.

Without school, i could still be profitable, but it would be based on raw talent and drive. But if your goal is to start something, and then leverage yourself so that it pays you passively while others operate it, then i feel that is where school also benefited me.

My suggestion would be to get the schooling, as it opens many doors. But your personal ambition is what will bring you to create that supplemental income. Its what will seperate you from that brown-noser with the MBA that will die young, trying to climb that corporate ladder, and try to live off that post tax W2 income.

[benthomas]

Hi,

I feel schools is not just a place where you go for studying but it is a place where you go for learning. Many would say that self leaning is better, but i disagree as other things like etiquette, behavior, respect, humor, etc also a part of personality development of a person and only studying is not enough.

Regards
Ben Thomas

[ZingerIntl]

Here is what it comes down to:
If you plan on working for someone else, go to college. If you plan to be an entrepreneur don't bother going.

Best quote ever.

[veikoh]

If you want to be succesful entrepreneur, then you should forget about schools. Entrepreneur must think "out of the box", while schools objectives are to put you to the box.

[OnePriceSites]

I have to admit that if it were not for my connections I made while in college I would never be where I am today. Never discount the life-long friendships that come with a major college education.

[SirLucius]

I really believe that there is no right or wrong answer to this question. And whether or not your pursue school versus self-education depends on your career goals and your interests.

If you want to become an engineer, scientist, mathematician, teacher, nurse, doctor, lawyer... you need a traditional education to get hired. It's as simple as that.

If you're like 90% of people who aren't sure what they want to do, then your path actually is a little bit more open. You can also attend a post-H.S. vocational school to learn a trade, in some counties and cities you can get certified or licensed for a vocation while in high school and upon graduation get a full-time job in that field (e.g., auto repair, electrician, etc.). Some vocations such as HVAC and Elevator repair make salaries that rival or even exceed white collar, college-educated jobs. Some careers like real estate, insurance, mortgage broker, etc. allow you to make a significant income if you have the right personality, work-ethnic, and smarts.

There are intangible benefits to college though. Depending on where you go you can get to experience different cultures and people; make lifelong friendship, become exposed to new fields and career choices you might not have otherwise, share your intellectual curiosity with others, and get once-in-a-lifetime experiences. So its not all a complete waste.

Whether you choose to pursue a college or vocational education after H.S. is really up to you and your goals, and whether or not you know what you want in life. For many they may not know that, and college may be a time for them to think about that. Or maybe they should delay college and give themselves time to think about what they want to do.

I went to college and from an educational standpoint it was a waste. But I'm glad I went because of the friendships I made and the experiences I had. Truth be told, I wish someone mentored me on Internet marketing in high school. But then again, I would have missed out on college. So in the end I'm glad things turned out the way they did...I'm doing IM now and I got to experience college.

[irsadh]

school studies will be always better.we get recognized

[CGM]

Formal education is not to be used to determine an individuals intelligence.

In High School, I knew at then that I had no desire to go to college. My whole thing back then was live a debt free life, live within my means, and enjoy life.

I knew what I wanted could easily be obtained without college, and a lot quicker because I would not graduate with an immediate sum of debt.

Long story short, come four months before graduating High School I got called into the Counselors offices to be informed that they just figured out that even with straight A's in all my current classes, I would be a credit or two short of graduating on time with my peers.

Fast forward one month, I returned my books. Said good bye to my teachers who were really kind, and understood that I wasn't a bad kid, a stupid kid, or a lazy kid. I just had different views and wasn't willing to work super hard towards something that was of no interest to me.

Got my GED, continued what I was doing even in High School which was work, work, work.

Fast forward a couple years, most of my friends that went to High School with me are Seniors in college now, about to graduate with debt, and finally enter into the 'real world'. Luckily for me, I have been living in the real world for some time and I believe I am better off for it.

Earlier this year I moved 1,500 miles from my home town to come out west and start this business that has been a success so far. Its only getting better and bigger, with the ability to provide for me much better than some of my conventional thinking peers I went to school with.

So, in short. Decide for yourself what you want, what the best way to get it, and last but not least: Do it.

[Southern_Lenders]

I've been trading stocks for many years now (about 4) with moderate success. And this thread reminds me of one of the great debates in the trading world.

The jessy livermores, the soros, and paul tudor jones's of the world, and just about any great trader/investor....

Can these people be taught to trade the markets, or are people born to trade the markets. Same with Entrepreneurs..some people just "have it", while others must learn some how, some way.