Steve Jobs did it. Mark Zuckerberg did it. So did I.
This is a typical dialogue that you might hear these days from the wannabe-entrepreneurs and 90% of them would say it with pride. Sometimes this often goes to a ‘call-for-action’ mode that you need to drop-out of school/college to succeed in life. But their denial of the role that proper education plays in forming a good career is misleading and misinformed.
First of all, not everyone is lucky or lucky accidents and the favors of randomness do not happen in everybody’s life. So there is no guarantee to your success even when you have a terrific idea to sell or have the right resources. So before you jump in to entrepreneurship, you need to make sure that you have the right tools to survive when you fail to make your venture a success. This is where education plays a big role. So you need to get the basic education right, do specialization and you could alternatively try selling your ideas.
I have seen many of these new age entrepreneurs risking their parents’ money to bet on their future through entrepreneurship. If you go that way, I would suggest that you alternatively study to get a Masters or something that you could use to build up your career in case if you fail in your venture. I have seen friends who use their parents’ money to start new ventures, one after another, and terribly fails, then justify their actions by stating that they have ‘learned something in the process’ (oh yeah, I know :-P). I would say it is better to complete your education and go for a job. If you still have the spirit and dedication, you will be able to fund yourself and build your dream part-time. That way, you won’t be a burden on anyone, even on yourself.
I am a college drop-out too. I dropped out in the second year of pre-degree. Not that I dropped out to do something of my own at the time though (I thought that a basic college degree alone wasn’t going to help me find a job). I used to be proud of getting a good job for myself or about being a freelancer for a long time. Based on my personal experience, I thought that when you have complete confidence of your ability, the academic qualification really does not matter. But I begin to realize that I am a fool to have thought in those lines. First of all, not all employers would be wise enough to think that it is what you can do that matters and not your qualification. Secondly, education would help improve your thought process even when you are unaware of it. Third, if you want to grow up in your career, nothing should put a limit on you, including the academic qualification.
I do not regret for not completing my basic studies because it has not made any effect in my career path but I will certainly not advice the youngsters to leave their class rooms to do something of their own. I mean, do something of your own, for sure, but also make sure you have all other tools to help you survive if your dreams do not work out. Also I am planning to take an open university bachelors degree. It’s never too late, you know. 🙂