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Ask HN: Should I leave working at a startup in favor of university?

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Re: Ask HN: Should I leave working at a startup in favor of university?

#11

Post by lumberjack »

lutusp wrote: post #2

Just my personal opinion: * If you work in the field of software development, you may acquire a deeper appreciation for the value of a more complete education. This may increase your level of devotion and commitment if you return to school. * By working in the field, you may acquire a better sense of which educational areas have value, and which don't need your attention. * By working in the field, you will meet peop…

It means that if you have connections, a staggering initial capital, technical skills and education, a brilliant idea and a group of very talented friends you don't need to finish your degree.

Most people don't fall under that category.

Re: Ask HN: Should I leave working at a startup in favor of university?

#12

Post by tisme »

puranjay wrote: post #8

I've long advocated eschewing an education in favor of real world experience. But at the same time, I know I draw my self-worth from my education. I wouldn't be as confident a person as I am today if I wasn't educated. There's nothing stopping you from pursuing a business or even intellectual pursuits without an education, but ask yourself if you will feel truly fulfilled without an education? Moreover, you may miss…

> But at the same time, I know I draw my self-worth from my education.

How so? Should your self-worth not be linked to what you achieve and how you treat others?

Re: Ask HN: Should I leave working at a startup in favor of university?

#13

Post by lutusp »

lumberjack wrote: post #11
lutusp wrote: post #2

Just my personal opinion: * If you work in the field of software development, you may acquire a deeper appreciation for the value of a more complete education. This may increase your level of devotion and commitment if you return to school. * By working in the field, you may acquire a better sense of which educational areas have value, and which don't need your attention. * By working in the field, you will meet peop…

It means that if you have connections, a staggering initial capital, technical skills and education, a brilliant idea and a group of very talented friends you don't need to finish your degree. Most people don't fall under that category.

> It means that if you have connections, a staggering initial capital ...

You're thinking of Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Mark Zuckerberg, and Steve Jobs (with whom I worked), yes? In fact, none of them meet your description, and all of them started with virtually nothing except a desire to succeed. All of them started in a literal or figurative garage.

This is not to disparage the worth of a college education, only to put it in perspective, at a time when tuition rates are rising much faster than inflation.

It's too easy to assign successful people to a category after the fact, even if the fact contradicts the myth.

Re: Ask HN: Should I leave working at a startup in favor of university?

#14

Post by why-el »

lumberjack wrote: post #10

If I were you, I'd take part time college classes and keep my current foot in the industry. Yes you will take longer to finish your degree but you don't have to worry about that if you are already employed. Besides, employers will respond better to somebody who is in the process of finishing their degree as opposed to somebody who never started in the first place. Finally worst that could happen is that you get fired…

This is a good point. You can even take in interesting problems from your job back to school for further analysis.

Re: Ask HN: Should I leave working at a startup in favor of university?

#15

Post by alid »

If you choose not to go to uni, employers will want to know that you didn't go because you were too busy building, learning and achieving. So if you choose that route, be hungry to learn and experience more. Stand out by learning best-practice, being a confident communicator, networking, and by building your portfolio with paid employment and with exciting personal side projects :)
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