Most students probably don't think that they are the next Mark Zuckerberg but some are probably thinking about the merits of taking a chance and learning something versus taking a bunch of meaningless courses or writing a paper that will never see the light of day.
Students: You Are Probably Not Mark Zuckerberg, So Stay In School
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Re: Students: You Are Probably Not Mark Zuckerberg, So Stay In School
#52The main point, really, is causation. Mark Zuckerberg (and Bill Gates, Sergey Brin, etc, etc) dropped out of school AFTER starting a successful business. Even Paul Graham quit his day job AFTER starting a successful business. On the other hand, dropping out of school, or even quitting your day job, do not guarantee success.
I thought Bill Gates left school to start a company. He hadn't even started a company before dropping out.
Re: Students: You Are Probably Not Mark Zuckerberg, So Stay In School
#53The main point, really, is causation. Mark Zuckerberg (and Bill Gates, Sergey Brin, etc, etc) dropped out of school AFTER starting a successful business. Even Paul Graham quit his day job AFTER starting a successful business. On the other hand, dropping out of school, or even quitting your day job, do not guarantee success.
I thought Bill Gates left school to start a company. He hadn't even started a company before dropping out.
Technically, it seems both are correct.
(From http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/billg/?tab=biography) While at Harvard, Gates developed a version of the programming language BASIC for the first microcomputer - the MITS Altair.
In his junior year, Gates left Harvard to devote his energies to Microsoft, a company he had begun in 1975 with his childhood friend Paul Allen.
Re: Students: You Are Probably Not Mark Zuckerberg, So Stay In School
#54Fix your course to a star, not a degree. Neg me, I don't care. Just think about how short life is and how capable any of us are when we really apply ourselves. Why do you need anyone's approval to change the world?
Re: Students: You Are Probably Not Mark Zuckerberg, So Stay In School
#55Earlier quoted context omitted.
Waiting tables and tending bar, great jobs for your early 20s ;-)
How much did you work? Given how little waiters make, it seems like you'd have to work something close to full time to get by, especially with enough excess to cover travel, which makes it no more free than a real job, but making less and doing less interesting stuff. Now, consulting 5-10 hours a week (or a few months a year) while enjoying yourself and traveling could be appealing.
It really depends on where you work but waiters make pretty decent money (for a 20 something) - and its all cash. You get payed minimum wage in CA but that just about covers the amount you need to pay in taxes. I'd work about 25 hours a week and get about $20 in a paycheck every 2 weeks. You really end up not paying much in taxes (I'd guess closer to 15% then the 30-40% you'd end up paying salaried) so the money you make goes further. I worked at Bucks in Woodside CA, which is actually a bit notorious with the Sand Hill VC crowd. If you needed to you could make rent in a weekend by picking up extra shifts. Then the rest is cash. I mainly worked nights and could pick up some other work during the day if I needed to. When I wanted to travel I'd slam out about 2 months of serious work and do fine for a few weeks of travel. You also get to know people in the industry so I could take time off and pretty easily find a job when I got back.
I definitely made more money waiting tables 25 hours a week then my first two 40hr positions salaried.
But hey consulting would be a good way to go too.
Re: Students: You Are Probably Not Mark Zuckerberg, So Stay In School
#56The main point, really, is causation. Mark Zuckerberg (and Bill Gates, Sergey Brin, etc, etc) dropped out of school AFTER starting a successful business. Even Paul Graham quit his day job AFTER starting a successful business. On the other hand, dropping out of school, or even quitting your day job, do not guarantee success.
Exactly right. To think otherwise is to have cargo-cult thinking.
Re: Students: You Are Probably Not Mark Zuckerberg, So Stay In School
#57I've never read "Outliers", but apparently neither has Arrington.
Re: Students: You Are Probably Not Mark Zuckerberg, So Stay In School
#58It's really so much simpler... they are both right. While in college, start a startup! It's the optimal time of your life where taking such a risk is really no risk at all. If your idea takes-off, great, figure out what to do then . For everyone else, finish your degree and try again soon (you'll be that much more experienced).
I did this and I can contribute most of my hair loss for dealing with clients while in school. At some points I could not distinguish what were my priorities and you need a strong support system around you to keep you a float, mentally. It's an exhausting and distracting proposition, so don't take it lightly or do. Whichever works best.
I am doing this and I agree. I am taking 4 classes, a 40 hour/wk job, and am working on a startup that is not yet launched. It is exhausting and I never know what deserves the most attention in my life. To make matters worse I also have a girlfriend.
It's a physical, emotional, and psychological whirlwind to put it lightly. I definitely do not suggest anyone attempt what I'm doing, but if you can more power to you. If possible, I'd have never gotten a job. I don't make a lot of money, but it's hard to give it up. I think what's most important about starting a startup in school is that you probably do not make a lot of money and you're less likely to compromise where most would because of finances.
Re: Students: You Are Probably Not Mark Zuckerberg, So Stay In School
#59IMO what's wrong with kids wanting to be entrepreneurs? He might not be the best role model, but so what? We need a culture that supports and admires startups and small business.
Re: Students: You Are Probably Not Mark Zuckerberg, So Stay In School
#60[deleted]