As children in our modern day society we are led to believe we can grow up to be whatever we desire. We are fed the ideas that any of us can easily become an astronaut or a professional athlete. As we grow, we learn that this is only true to an extent; we have the potential to become whatever we desire so long as we work hard towards our goal, although the likelihood of success may vary. With this new realization in mind, we abandon our hopes of becoming president or solving world hunger for more practical occupations such as becoming a dentist or a teacher. And although we have lowered our expectations to succeed by seeking a more probable lifestyle, there still exists a common question: will a college degree help a person whatsoever in the work world? In his blog, "Will Dropouts Save America?" Ellsberg argues that college does not provide students with the entrepreneurial skills they need to succeed, and people are better off starting a business without a college degree. He says, "You don’t need a degree (and certainly not an M.B.A.) to start a business and create jobs, nor is it even that helpful" (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/opinion/sunday/will-dropouts-save-america.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=opinion). It is true that a person does not need a degree to succeed, however it most definitely helps.
Ellsberg explains that the reason colleges are not helpful to entrepreneurs is because they are not taught "skills like sales, networking, creativity and comfort with failure." Although these skills are not taught directly through courses and may in some areas be lacking in the college educational program, they are better learned with a college experience than without. Ellsberg states that colleges do not teach anything about sales, networking is best learned through talking with others, education stifles creativity, and colleges encourage the safe road to avoid failure. This is not entirely true. There are colleges that may offer business or entrepreneurship classes to educate the basis of sales. College is an opportunity to broaden one's horizons, to meet new people and make new connections. In addition, college students are encouraged to join forums and school-based networking sites to stay updated with recent events. Education may be prioritized over creativity, but it does not stifle it. There are boundless extracurricular activities for a college student to express their creativity in. Finally, it is true that failure is hardly ever encouraged. However, failing in the safety of a college curriculum rather than failing as a lone business owner appears far more comforting, and thus appears more suitable in developing an acceptance of failure. Though college isn't specifically about entrepreneurial skills, it provides far more for a person than having no further education whatsoever.
In her blog, "Does College Matter for Entrepreneurs?" Tice discusses how colleges benefit the entrepreneurs of the future. She explains that "college-student entrepreneurs today can often take advantage of plentiful campus-based resources" (http://www.entrepreneur.com/blog/220306). In the technological era, business will be centered more and more around technology, and so a college education will greatly prepare an entrepreneur with the education they will require. Furthermore, as Tice explains, colleges have resources that may benefit an entrepreneur such as "incubators, mentoring and connections to possible funders." Colleges open new doors and opportunities for not only entrepreneurs but anyone looking to work. Also, Tice mentions that over half of business owners have a college degree. If the majority of business owners found success through obtaining a college education than why would an entrepreneur risk starting a business without a degree when they are more likely to succeed with one? Though it is possible to aspire without a college education, it is more beneficial with one.
