Should I work for a startup before starting my own?

I am about to graduate and thinking about either getting a job at a startup (my first) or just finding an idea to bootstrap.

Would you say that working a few years for startups is good pre-cursor or jumping right in is better?

I don't think you're going to find anyone saying that working for a startup before you start your own is a bad idea. The real question is "when's the right time to start my own startup"? I'd say it's:

• while you can (have the time, energy, resources / low cost of living)
• when have an idea worth trying

So long as taking a job isn't going to prevent you from getting back to the former, better to get some experience, advance your skills, and look for ideas while you're getting paid.