Chris Yeh had this to say to Ben about how what is taught in school isn’t what will help in the real world:
School isn’t like real life. In fact, it’s about as far from real life as can be imagined. The lessons that let you be successful in school (follow the rules, work hard, know the right answers) are completely the opposite of those that help you become a successful entrepreneur (change the rules, work smart, know the right questions).
Since I’m studying Entrepreneurship at RMIT I hear it all the time, “how can you teach entrepreneurship?” Maybe you can, maybe you can’t - but you can still go to university to learn the foundations of business and apply them in your own way. A lot of people that are fresh out of high school know they want to run their own business and many already have plenty of entrepreneurial ideas but they just need a place to meet others like them and get some direction. The prospective students night that VentureTribe ran last week shows that there are plenty of young people like this around.
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I think being a successful entrepreneur requires a combination of schooling and real-world experience. Sure, there are high-profile success stories that don’t fit this mold, but by and large most people that attempt to run their own businesses will benefit from what’s learned in school. Yes, there are different approaches to succeeding in life and succeeding in school, but I wouldn’t write off school altogether.
Comment by RisingSunofNihon — September 27, 2006 @ 9:28 pm
You can teach art, but it doesn’t make someone an artist, its that existing talent that is developed with art classes. If you have that entrepreneur talent, the classes teach you what to do with your talent. Since entrepreneurs tend to be very creative, often classes and school are just one of the many options an entrepreneur will use to find the information and aquire the skills needed to be successful. For many entrepreneurs school structure is too limiting and restrictive.
Comment by Jan — October 4, 2006 @ 6:58 pm
Thanks for the comments guys.
From what I have heard here and the last few days in person speaking to people most agree that formal education is important, but not the end of the world if you don’t get in.
While the education is good, I think what is perhaps most important is the networks, contacts, and finding out about how you can help others with their goals as well.
I’m happy that my course only has 9 contact hours a week because it gives you a decent amount of time out of class to be learning in other ways as well.
A good healthy mix of learning is what I’m after
Comment by thrive — October 4, 2006 @ 7:51 pm