college learning: paradigm shift
Alright, so I was wondering how people look at college. Let me describe my own attitude towards it. My first year and a half or so it was mostly apathy and a struggle to find a purpose. Now it's more like the people on this site. Pad that GPA, get a nice Econ major, network as much as possible and get some relevant internships, hopefully land a gig in banking, consulting, or an F100 company.
Recently I have been considering a paradigm shift in how I looked at college. Why should I follow my university's "Charted Curriculum" for my econ major exactly. I know I am not articulating this very well... If I wanted to eventually innovate and start something on my own, shouldn't I just take classes that interest me the most and try and stimulate my imagination as much as possible.
I read a thread recently about the Banking/PE path to entrepreneurship and the general consensus there was that if you really wanted to start something on your own that was not the most efficient way to do it. At the same time, it is obviously a very good option to earn a lot of money and an even greater earning potential right out of college
What do you think? I just feel like the best time to start is right now, but it is hard to place my ambitions in the right places. I've already completed two years of college so it's not like I can just turn around and do a 4 year engineering degree.... But it seems like engineering is the most conducive major to innovation. I know this is sort of a stream of consciousness random assortment of thoughts, but there are a lot of smart people here who have definitely put a lot of things in perspective for me, just through my own lurking of the boards over the last few months
I would also be interested to hear what people who have ventured out on their own into the land of innovation think about college and what's most relevant about the learning process.
cheers,
coffee
Simple. If you're a risk averse lemming who wants a high-paying job (oh, I'm sorry, career), then you'd better stick to what your school recommends and not deviate one iota. Non-conformity will not be tolerated in the workplace. You need to take all the same courses, have all the same internships, and dress the same as everyone else in banking.
If, however, you feel like you can add value to this world and aren't afraid to take a little risk, why don't you learn what you want to learn and let the chips fall where they may?
I actually hate how much sense this makes. It means that the rest of my life is completely unknown, and I'll have to set my own goals and take responsibility for my own actions.
Eddie what do you say to the fact that people who deviate from the norm receive VIOLENT opposition from those that profit from, or are dependent on the system?
And, this is a serious question, what's the worst that can happen? What happens to those who shoot for the moon but fail to launch? I don't want to be 40 calling mom for rent money.
[double post]
Edmundo, I was actually hoping you would respond to this from what I have read of your comments in the past, specifically in the aforementioned Entrepreneurship thread.
That is definitely a very encouraging response, but let me elaborate on my situation, and open myself up to condescension maybe: I am going to be 21 in a week and have my education paid for by my parents. My dad is an entrepreneur in Silicon Valley and my mom also works in tech. We aren't filthy rich but we are upper middle class. I have my undergrad education paid for, and a pretty solid nest egg. Don't get me wrong, the last thing I want to do is rely on this security my parents have provided for me at the expense my own learning and growth process. But at the same time there might be some subconscious fears or inhibitions about starting on my own.. First of all ... where am I going to get the idea? I know it doesn't have to be the next facebook, youtube, google, but it has to have a good business model and either do something new or do something better/cheaper than it is being done in the status quo.... Now, even if those criteria are met (a tall order..) then comes the issue of obtaining capital... You can have all the ideas in the world but you will be hard pressed to implement them if you lack capital.
I guess the best and most feasible thing would be to work part time on something that didn't require much overhead, like software, or an internet business much like Patrick has done so effectively with WSO...
That's what has lead me to this point where I am think I should be taking CS, engineering, higher level calculus than what I've done for Econ, Biology, Physics, Chemistry.... It is amazing that I am at one of the top Bio-Sci and Genetic programs worldwide but I have never taken a single chemistry course... in my life..
It's just confusing. I feel like time isn't on my side, each quarter tuition goes up more and more, and thus I ask more and more of my parents who have already given me so much. Graduation has to come sooner rather than later, and there are only so many courses I can cram in while still fulfilling my major requirements for econ in 2 years....
None of this is meant to complain, because I am excited about the future. It's just insane to me that I can go through this just to pray that some headhunter will give me the chance to become the next tiny cog in a huge system till I am ground to the bone and a chartered member of the 40/40/40 club.
But the question becomes, without deluding myself, what are my other viable options aside from being that shitty cog in the giant wheel
It seems you and I are on the same page, as I sent a VERY similar message to Eddie less than an hour before you posted this.
Care to weigh in Eddie?
Hey Coffee (I love coffee!)
First of all, it's nice to see a post like this. I myself was in the similar shoes and had countless questions about my path, so maybe some insights that I've garnered can help you guide your decision.
Follow your heart. Because you owe yourself to do stuff that you want to do. After the graduation, you won't have time for yourself. Audit the class, read their textbooks, etc. On top of my 2 majors, i am minoring in literature. I definitely think that people with interests in areas other than finance/econ (no offence) adds a whole different dimension to their personality. Also, econ/fin degree is still useful- i am quenching my thirst for liberal arts by reading on my own, and making friends from those majors to borrow their syllabus, etc.
What you think of as "failures" in your 20s will be the biggest asset for you later on. It's less costly to fail early on when you have least liabilities and have so much potential. The story is different when you are 40 and have 2 kids, and quit your job and start your own company. (esp. when you are not so young to start a tech firm)
You are still young so you can still break into banking, even if it might not be a typical path. I can't speak for this part yet, but banking people are not merciless brute- if you are smart and can elaborate on your experience, i think you still have a shot at there.
Also, whether you will have enough money or not seems really up to you- smart investors will identify viable and potential ideas.
I wish you good luck!
Here is a link to an essay by Paul Graham that I just stumbled upon. I think it is definitely a worthy read, as it is extremely relevant to this discussion. Hopefully this helps you out evil or anyone else interested.
http://www.paulgraham.com/hiring.html
I still look forward to hearing from Edmundo and anyone else at greater lengths on the subject.
Thanks,
coffee
you have a "nest egg" and you're questioning whether you should be an entrepreneur?... if you even have to ask when you have some capital to work with already then you probably do not have the mental will, and risk taking ability to succeed on your own. You should work for daddy.
^ I say this cuz I have
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