Is it a good strategy to quit college and learn about entrepreneurship just by reading books at home?


7

There are alot of resources online about best books for entrepreneurs, is it good to quit college and learn that at home and then do a startup after learning it?

Strategy Entrepreneurs Education Entrepreneurship

asked Sep 26 '11 at 05:42
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Drew X
77 points
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  • No. Go to college. If you find something you want to work on, work on it. If it makes sense to quit because you are making money then quit. – Tim J 12 years ago

7 Answers


13

I found college very valuable. Not just for the education, but for the experience and the people I have met there. I started my current business with a friend I made in college and have started minor side projects with other college friends.

I would strongly suggest you stil read books on entrepreneurship, business, marketing, sales, economics and personal development whether you go to college or not. I didn't started reading these types of books until I was 4 years out of college (once I started my business) and I wished I would have started sooner. They give you a lot of motivation, insight, and knowledge that would take you years and years of actual experience to learn.

If you did that while going to college you could really motivate and influence others around you to start ventures together.

Or, if you don't go to college use this knowledge and find some local meetups (meetup.com) or places you can get together with like minded individuals to create something. OR - if you don't really care about the piece of paper that says you graduated and you plan to pave your own path to greatness just take the classes you want to take. If you aren't working towards a degree you can often take classes at a University or college for the same price or less! Just take the classes that interesting or that might help you develop a good network of friends.

One of the most important things about being an entrepreneur is your network. You need to associate with smart, successful, like minded people. These mentors/friends/classmates etc. will help you along the way. :]

Here is the reading list for the personal MBA great list of books.

answered Sep 26 '11 at 06:05
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Ryan Doom
5,472 points
  • I agree with everything Ryan mentioned and would add that some good old fashioned hands on experience is valuable as well. I see more small companies get in trouble simply because the people in the front office don't have a clue of what really happens in the back. – Hondo69 12 years ago
  • Another point to add, is that if you're wanting to go out and start businesses with Angel / VC money, a college degree will go a long way to proving your capability. Not everyone can be a Zuckerberg. – Bwasson 12 years ago
  • Well I have already dropped out of college and I'm still learning through books. I feel I'm stucked now cuz maybe I should have continued getting my degree and also continued learning side by side. Its been 3 yrs since I quit college. What should I do next if my venture is not successful or if I dont start a venture ? – Drew X 12 years ago
  • Get a job with a start-up or small company? Learn the ropes? This forum seems pretty focused on IT start-ups, you could learn some of the other skills that may help with an IT start-up. Learn to program, learn about graphic design, inspiring and motivating people, accounting, lots of stuff to learn for sure. It's overwhelming ;) but the good news is you don't have to learn it in a day. But get a job at a IT/web consulting company. Learn hands on, you may have to work for cheap initially but that way you are not 'paying' for your education. They are still paying you something. – Ryan Doom 12 years ago

6

No. Finish college and read the books.

answered Sep 26 '11 at 13:11
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Xpda
652 points
  • +1 The discipline and structure of completing a degree is invaluable for most young entrepreneurs. – Keith De Long 12 years ago

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For an average person i would say go to college for all the reasons the other answers here have given. On the other hand, if you are an exceptionally smart and gifted person then maybe college is not the best use of your time.

It also depends upon what college you are going to, what other opportunities you will be giving up by making a 4 year commitment to college and how you use your time in college.

In general going to college is a better choice for most people, but there are exceptional cases in which the contrary is a better choice.

answered Feb 10 '12 at 07:21
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User15995
42 points

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College can teach you a lot about discipline regardless if, IMHO, it's a waste if there is no motivation to go. If you seem like the type of person that never finishes things you start, then college might be the best option.

It might be also good to do some of the daily day-to-day work of the field/industry you want to be in.

Always read books.

I went to school for business, but now do front-end work, and all of my learning came from books, articles, blogs, paul irish and friends :), etc.

answered Feb 10 '12 at 08:25
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Debug
121 points

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I have fared far better in a full time job without any help from a college degree. My friends who went to college are 1) still in college and paying tuition or on grants 2) out of college and almost done paying off loans for their MBA's and BA's by working as janitors or are unemployed.

Good luck if you enter college these days. The prospects aren't so great when you finish.

answered Feb 10 '12 at 08:27
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Frend
1 point

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My rec is don't quit college! Having spent almost 20 years in education, I'd wager that this old saying may apply to you: "You don't know what you don't know" (yet).

The odds are you will change the direction of your career several times. Look at at your time in college as not just text books and random tests, but a unique opportunity to experiment with career building and school-to-life skills. I wish in my 20's I had given myself more flexibility to really explore different pathways and degree options. Back in the early 80's, I was purposeful and driven, but with a narrow focus.

A university or college environment is a great place to test drive what your passionate about. And to be a successful entrepreneur, I'd say passion for what you're doing has to be at the top of the list! I'm still learning, but that much I know for sure.

Ironically, the most important thing you may learn in college may not have anything to do with your degree.

Good that you are asking the question!

answered Sep 26 '11 at 12:16
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Richard H.
175 points

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I would say no. School is a great place to start building your future network and discuss your future plans with your professional mentors. If your not happy by the level of education your school provides, try maybe thinking of switching to other more competitive institution, but my advice is don't drop your education.

For me personally the school wasn't really about boosting my entrepreneurial drive as it was more theory than practical skills I learned there, however I have to say I met some really clever people with whom I still maintain network, that been very beneficial for mentoring my career growth.

answered Sep 27 '11 at 01:42
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Peter K.
194 points

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