Rated
Nov 16 2007
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21 reviews
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entrepreneurship
• college-startup.com
While it is definitely inspiring that these "degreeless" entrepreneurs are as successful as they are today, they are by far the exception vs. the rule. I'm not a big fan of schooling either - after all, you are rewarded based on how well you follow directions and many graduates end up going off to become mindless robots at some big corporation they are so proud of, brandishing their skill of being a great conformist. But starting your own business without a degree is a very risky proposition and unless you're super bad ass and innovative like the people mentioned in this article, it would be prudent to have a degree as a contingency.
This is not to mention that you can't replace the experience you get from being a college student. This includes the friends you meet, the experience of growing up, getting laid for the first time (unless you were "cooler" than most people), or whatever it might be. I suppose you could satisfy all these things on the non-college entrepreneurial route as well, but it just wouldn't be the same. I would never give up my college experience for anything despite the difficulties I had to deal with. I can't imagine this experience being anything like being an entrepreneur at such an early age. The social aspect of the latter is too limited in my opinion and most of the people you will meet are likely much older than you, potentially making it difficult for you to relate to them. In addition, if you happen to become rich in this case, whether you are happy is another question.
Wow, I never imagined to write such a long comment. But I hope what I wrote provides some food for thought.