Are colleges actually able to create entrepreneurs?
https://www.geekwire.com/2022/were-going-to-produce-a-lot-more-startups-seattle-university-aims-to-boost-entrepreneurship/
‘We’re going to produce a lot more startups’: Seattle University aims to boost entrepreneurship."
There are many paths to becoming an entrepreneur.
I think a popular hot take from indie hackers is that you don't need college to be a successful founder. And I totally agree with that. There is, however, a quasi animus against colleges that is also a part of this sentiment.
Regardless, I found value in my university experience and feel that it helped make me a better entrepreneur and person. There are so many colleges now that are launching and offering entrepreneur-focused programs with the aim of creating businesses.
I'm curious if anyone on IH has gone through a program like this one in Seattle.
What'd you think of the experience? Was it full of things you'd have learned elsewhere? Was there something it offered that you couldn't get elsewhere?
Is there something antithetical to the rigidity of a curriculum and the inherent necessity of adaptability in entrepreneurship? Can colleges make entrepreneurs?
Would love to hear IHers thoughts on this.
As a university graduate and a former college teacher, my opinion is that one of the most overlooked things colleges give is the environment of like minded people.
Still, especially in the United States, they are nothing but debt traps and a pyramid schemes in most cases. (sorry)
Colleges teach you to be "square-minded" and not creative and entrepreneurial. It is beneficial for big companies that you don't ask questions and do as you're told, and colleges teach you that.
I think there are some skills and knowledge you can gain through college, but I would say it takes passion and a pursuit of learning to really be an entrepreneur. Knowledge always helps. Community to back you up and point you in the right direction may be even better.
You can pick up some values and perspectives in college to benefit you too.
Totally agree. Community is vital
Hell no. Everything you can learn in a college course you can learn online for free.
And before the internet, you could go to library and learn anything for free (still can). Obviously you “can” learn things online, by yourself. The question is whether that is superior to other methods. For me, the in-person environment helped me understand complex ideas far better than studying alone, online.
Nothing replaces real-world experience. I think these programs enable you to learn in the real world but there's bound to be a certain degree of hand-holding. Perhaps that is useful.