Finding Your Perfect School Starts Here!
Step 1
Please answer the question below so that we can help you find your ideal school.
Successful Entrepreneurs Praise the Value of Business School
By Catherine Groux
Posted October 11, 2012 11:00 AM
Business school can be useful for aspiring entrepreneurs.The entrepreneurial success of college dropouts like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg has raised the question of whether students need to earn a bachelor's degree or Master of Business Administration (MBA) to prevail in their endeavors. Opinions on the subject vary, but many professionals have learned that it is often best to pursue higher education before launching a venture.
Prasad Thammineni, CEO and Co-Founder of OfficeDrop
After earning an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, Thammineni does not doubt the value his education had in the launching of OfficeDrop, his document management company, Fox News reports. Thammineni said the analytical, risk management, marketing and strategic planning skills he learned in business school helped him secure $2 million in funding and keep his business afloat, even during a tough economy. Additionally, he believes he learned to be a better leader in good times and bad.
"Business school gave me the chance to reflect on different types of leadership styles and receive feedback from my peers on what I needed to change to become a more effective leader," Thammineni told Fox. "Plus, the knowledge I garnered from my MBA program allowed me to make informed decisions as opposed to relying solely on my gut."
Dinesh Moorjani, CEO and Founder of Hatch Labs
While Harvard Business School graduate Moorjani does not believe earning an MBA is for everyone, he told CNN that blossoming entrepreneurs can find many benefits if they choose to attend graduate school.
"...An MBA from a top program provides a deep practical education and opens doors, allowing you to grow your personal and professional networks," he said. "This has the desirable effect of creating opportunity, either through coincidence or providence - or what I chalk up to the residue of hard work. So, whether by choice or by circumstance, opening the right doors or exploring the right options statistically increases with the completion of an advanced degree."
Adam Toren, Co-Founder of YoungEntrepreneur.com
Toren, an author and entrepreneur, believes there are certain characteristics successful business professionals must possess, including drive, passion and determination. While these skills can be learned outside of the classroom, Toren agrees there are many advantages to earning a master's degree before becoming an entrepreneur.
"There are some very good reasons for a would-be entrepreneur to pursue higher learning," Toren wrote in a blog post. "For one thing, the value of networking during school cannot be denied. Graduates who have gone on to be successful entrepreneurs often credit their time in college with helping them make incredible connections...Additionally, college provides learning experiences beyond the classroom. To be successful in school, you have to learn to balance work and personal time, meet deadlines and follow through on commitments. These skills are also valuable to entrepreneurs."
