MBA or Startup? • Hacker News Board

Re: MBA or Startup?

#11

Post by solost » Thu, Jul 03, 2008, 2:47 PM UTC

I think there are two factors you need to use to decide for yourself.

One, what would you rather be doing? You're young you have time so you cannot go wrong in either direction.

Two, what opportunities are available to you? Can you go to a really good MBA program? Is there a start up you are going to join that you are passionate about? Are you going to start your own business? If so do you really know what that entails?

So my advice analyze your opportunities, decide what it is you really want to do, but unless you have a killer idea and some people to help both technical, marketing, and business wise don't start your own start up yet.

Re: MBA or Startup?

#12

Post by byrneseyeview » Thu, Jul 03, 2008, 3:10 PM UTC

pg wrote: post #9

matt1 wrote: post #8

Thank you for the responses so far. Its amazing how varied they have been. Trying to found a startup is a very risky business. Statistically, I'll wind up with some very good experience, but no company to show for it. In the long run, wouldn't it be wiser to get the MBA, even if it slows down my work?

In efficient markets, risk and reward are always proportionate. So all other things being equal, the rational choice is to take as much risk as your life can stand at any given point.

Most startups implicitly disbelieve the efficient market hypothesis, since they'd be able to get the same level of risk by using leverage. Most of them seem to think they might have an edge, in which case the proper criterion is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_criterion

Re: MBA or Startup?

#13

Post by matt1 » Mon, Jul 07, 2008, 4:08 AM UTC

saurabh wrote: post #10

cmos wrote: post #3

"my true passion is when I get home and hack" You've answered your own question! Your true passion isn't going to school, or taking business classes online, so why do it? I started a company out of college, made every mistake possible, and loved every minute of it.

Exactly, do what you love doing. For inspiration, watch Steve's speech at Stanford. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA

I just got around to watching it and really enjoyed it.

Thank you for the inspiration.