[Jimmye]

Originally Posted by akula

okey dokey, we might as well make this into a worthwhile thread.

in like 24-48, I'll post my evidentiary case for why aspiring entrepreneurs ought to go to college. then, in an attempt to prove me wrong, you can post your reasons and evidence to substantiate your argument. hopefully, the readers of this thread may will find meaning.

heck, this might be fun...at least ye might get a few click-throughs....user generated content and all..

Ok. I can already make that case for you. I know a few executives around the city of Sydney who have an undergrade and a MBA who are earning good money, that being said they are happy with their lives. All I have to say is do what makes you feel happy with your life and yourself and something that you can look back on and be proud of. If this involves going to uni then "go for it"

About my post last night I would like to apologies. Reading over the post now I sound very much like a bigot and it was very immature of me. For that I am sorry. My emotions did get the better of me and I was not thinking straight.

theprodigy101 when making your decision just make the decision based upon whether you will be happy with your life and yourself in making that decision.

[Day2]

The MBA today is taking a bit of a beating in terms of how valuable it is.

I'd posit that the value of the MBA is largely in the connections and not as much in the knowledge. I'm not saying that there isn't some value to be had there... But I think there is plenty of value in self-educating and working in the business world... And it doesn't cost tens of thousands of dollars and take several years to do.

Remember, formal education is simply a man or woman speaking at the front of a room, following a curriculum which usually follows the table of contents in a book. The professor might or might not be a business veteran. They might or might not have had business success.

We can all find examples of successful folks who haven't gotten MBAs. We can also find examples of terminal failures who have MBAs.

My two cents would be that you should grab an MBA if you feel you need the connections AND if you feel you can get into a GOOD school for an MBA (where there are good connections to be found). If you can't get into a higher end program, it loses a lot of value.

Otherwise, check out the Personal MBA and self-educate:
http://www.joshkaufman.net/personalmba/

[theprodigy101]

Thanks for your input everyone. I really just wanted to get a feel for how other entrepreneurs see grad school and whether it is worthwhile to them or not. I clearly see many positives to grad school as I always have. Nice to know that all entrepreneurs aren't just about ditching school and starting Internet companies. As for Jimmye, I see what you're saying about how as entrepreneurs we should just go for it. However, I do feel as though I should be adequately prepared for the fight ahead before I do. As for Akula, we await your rebuttal. I love how these threads turn into wars within seven posts or less

[Jimmye]

Originally Posted by theprodigy101

Thanks for your input everyone. I really just wanted to get a feel for how other entrepreneurs see grad school and whether it is worthwhile to them or not. I clearly see many positives to grad school as I always have. Nice to know that all entrepreneurs aren't just about ditching school and starting Internet companies. As for Jimmye, I see what you're saying about how as entrepreneurs we should just go for it. However, I do feel as though I should be adequately prepared for the fight ahead before I do. As for Akula, we await your rebuttal. I love how these threads turn into wars within seven posts or less

Its not a war. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Good luck though in your studies. Im sure you will be every success in whatever you do.

[theprodigy101]

That's true, I agree. I'm not against it really. I think this is the type of criticism and debate we as entrepreneurs need in order to take a better look at ourselves. So I appreciate the critical nature of some of the posts. Thank you Jimmye. Best of luck in all of your endeavors, you seem like a go-getter to me. Keep it up.

[gemini_bwoy]

Originally Posted by demiGod031

Don't compare yoursel to Bill Gates since he has already something in his mind that he know would become great in the future so he drooped out. Well, if you have something in your mind that could possibly become the next great thing, then not studying to pursue that something is not a bad idea. But if you have nothing, then I guess the right thing to do is to enrich your mind.

Go to the best business schools. Success will then follow.

Good luck!

Well said, I started to do this
And I have the MOST important exams of my life in 2 weeks
I getting back into the studing now...

[Brad]

Education can be a powerful too. I plan to either get an MBA when I'm done with Commerce or go to law school. Law school can help in the business realm and it is great for politics.

Also, networking is key. The contacts you gain in grad school could benefit immensely in the long term.

[GriZzly]

Originally Posted by Antdizzle

After you get a undergraduate degree, when do you stop learning? Do you go for a MBA? Do you go for a doctorate? When would you know when you are ready to go out there and be done with school?

You shouldn't really be going as far as a PhD unless you intend to become an academic...in other words you go on to do a career in business research and/or educating others. If you want a job in business then I would recommend completing your Masters for the same reason I have mentioned several times...it is one of the things to set you above all the other applicants most of which will only have a bachelors.

Originally Posted by Day2

Remember, formal education is simply a man or woman speaking at the front of a room, following a curriculum which usually follows the table of contents in a book.

That is a rather perplexing statement. The actual value of formal education is an entirely different question which I could talk about for hours and hours. But at the end of the day, most employers won't even invite you for an interview if you don't have formal qualifications. Even if it is the case that a individual WITH a degree is much less capable than an individual WITHOUT, atleast the former will get a shot.

[Jimmye]

Originally Posted by GriZzly

That is a rather perplexing statement. The actual value of formal education is an entirely different question which I could talk about for hours and hours. But at the end of the day, most employers won't even invite you for an interview if you don't have formal qualifications. Even if it is the case that a individual WITH a degree is much less capable than an individual WITHOUT, atleast the former will get a shot.

That’s true in some way that even the one without the degree is more capable. It depends what type of business you are talking about however. 20 years ago sure the piece of paper got you in the door but in the 21st century this is not the case. If you do not have communication skills (there are many in Australia who do not mainly immigrants) then they should not and do not get the job.

[clegg]

Originally Posted by Day2

Remember, formal education is simply a man or woman speaking at the front of a room, following a curriculum which usually follows the table of contents in a book.

It really depends. I have some professors who have never held a job in business but can memorize and teach you a 500 page book.
There are others who can teach you a little theory and then back it up with their personal experiences. Share a topic and then explain how that works in the real world, how it worked in their past, when it applies and when it may not, etc.

This will end up depending on the quality of the program you attend. Plenty of schools have a bunch of academics teaching a textbook, and while understanding the text is also important, other programs will have a better blend of those with real life experiences. Professors who worked in business or are former entrepreneurs.

-clegg

[NeeJam]

Originally Posted by clegg

It really depends. I have some professors who have never held a job in business but can memorize and teach you a 500 page book.
There are others who can teach you a little theory and then back it up with their personal experiences. Share a topic and then explain how that works in the real world, how it worked in their past, when it applies and when it may not, etc.

This will end up depending on the quality of the program you attend. Plenty of schools have a bunch of academics teaching a textbook, and while understanding the text is also important, other programs will have a better blend of those with real life experiences. Professors who worked in business or are former entrepreneurs.

-clegg

if a professor is a former entrepreneur what would send signals through my head is why are they a professor...