How not to be a college entrepreneur: a case study
I’m amazed at how ignorant irrational people can be, and after getting to know a certain classmate slightly better this year he has unfortunately become the perfect case study outlining exactly how to be a very poor college entrepreneur. I may be wrong on his future prospects as an entrepreneur, but comparing ‘Joe’ to every other successful entrepreneur I’ve ever heard of, I present to you a college startup guide not to follow:
1. Take 19 credits a semester in order to double major with another minor.
What better way to spend your time than to double major in finance and marketing + another business minor. Rather than use your vast amounts of free time to start a business or just mess around, get two majors.
2. Do not take advantage of free legal services, tax guidance, technology services, and accounting guidelines.
As a student at a fairly well known and funded business school, business and legal services are free to business students looking to create a legitimate startup. With virtually zero costs for tax advising, technology services, and legal guidance (including incorporating), as a student starting a business or partnership is subsidized greatly. But don’t take advantage of this, obviously.
3. Hate everyone that does better than you on exams
Competition is fierce, yet it’s vital to keep a steady, cool, collective attitude especially towards your peers. Paying for a good undergraduate business school is almost entirely a networking exercise, so burning bridges and looking like an idiot is definitely a good idea.
4. Study 4X as longer than other, fellow 3.80 GPA students to get 1/3 a letter grade better and feel good about it.
There are always those courses where the grading and subject matter is a crapshoot with unpredictable tests and grading. However, in these classes, instead of efficiently using your time, study your ass off and be sure to let everyone know about it after you get an A- compared to the average B+.
5. Get visibly angry and upset at opposing views and don’t accept rational ideas or arguments.
Being racist, hating nonchristians and homosexuals, and scoffing at people for not wanting to be entrepreneurs leads to a lot of
opportunities to butt heads with others. Finding partners, gaining customers, and developing relationships is pretty hard when you’re ignorant to others’ ideas and are unable to keep a cool head and just accept differences.
6. Be oblivious that these are not characteristics or tendencies might hurt your future success.
I guess the bottom line is that if you’re serious about being a college entrepreneur, get your priorities straighter than joe. Sure, academics help lay a groundwork for your education, but they honestly aren’t as important as your experience, time, and networks. GPA is critical for your first job and showing your peers your own aptitude, but it’s forgotten .2 years after you graduate.
So please, if you know you’re going to be an entrepreneur and your hearts set on it, don’t follow Joe’s methods.
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