Is College A Waste Of Time?
AHH the famous question! Is college a waste of time?
For years, we have heard of successful entrepreneurs dropping out of college and becoming some of the most wealthy people on this planet. This begs the question, is college really worth it? The least sexy answer is the correct one. It depends. There are people who can succeed without college and some whose profession requires it. There are also people who succeed outside of the classroom but still gain value from the University overall. So let’s dive in:
Doctor, Lawyer, and Engineer…Go to college. These are really tough careers, but also require extensive training and certification. If this is the course you choose to take, college provides extreme value and is most definitely necessary.
Everyone else…Most people who go to college for a business or any other degree that does not require certification and extensive training have the ability to succeed outside of college. However, many people at this stage do not know what they want to do. And that is alright. Some colleges cost upwards of $50K a year, so it IS an expensive journey to embark on. With that being said, most people learn most by doing, and failing. By trying something you may have had an interest in, you get to truly see if it is meant for you or not. A class with videos and terms will not spark your passion in business.
This article may offend people…A lot of people take immense pride in their college degree or in their doctorate, etc. There is a lot of value in that. It is an amazing accomplishment and can position anyone to secure a great job right out of school. And this is where the true controversy begins. The workplace prioritizes college degrees (a piece of paper) over true capability, intelligence and other intangibles. That is not fair.
What can you do about this?…Do not give anyone the chance to hire you…hear me out. Once you figure out your passion, or what you are good at, find a way to monetize it and turn it into a business. Then start your company and become an entrepreneur. You will probably fail many times but turn that into an experience and learn from it. This will position you to succeed. At the end of the day, win or lose, you started a company and gained immense value. You now have something that makes you valuable to other companies, or opportunities if you decide being an entrepreneur is not for you. But at least try.
If that is not the answer…If you still feel the need to be in college and want to find a way to maximize its value outside of the classroom here is how to do so. Network. Whether it be in your fraternity, sorority, class, or any event. Create a network which later on may prove to be super useful with any career path you choose to take. Intern at places you find interesting. Use your time in college to figure out if you truly enjoy what you are studying and do not be afraid to take risks!
About this column: I have decided to take my knowledge of the gaming industry and turn it into a creative column that I will publish a few times a week. I will cover gaming trends, hot topics in the gaming and tech space, as well as do interviews with some of the biggest names in the gaming and tech startup space!