There are many successful entrepreneurs out there that don’t have a degree and will tell you that going to university is not necessary. This may be true but there is still a lot of value from getting a degree and going to university even if you plan on doing your own thing later.
There is the experience itself that is very rewarding. Not to mention the opportunities to network for support when you get started after college. The reasons to go are endless but it is smart to make sure that you get the right degree if you want to be an entrepreneur.
In this article, we will go over what some of the best degrees are for becoming an entrepreneur and why.
1. Economics
One of the keys to success when starting a business is understanding how markets work. It is the best way to identify gaps and to navigate the ups and downs of being in business. And the best degree to do this is economics.
Many hugely successful people started out with an economics degree. Elong Musk is a prime example. Getting an economics degree from an Ivy League school is one of the best ways to get started. Namely a school like Dartmouth College which is known for its economics program. If you want to know how to get into Dartmouth then check out that guide.
What you’ll get from an economics background is learning the needs of your future customers and making smart business decisions. These things will guide your strategies to start the company and also to grow it later on.
2. Marketing
If a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it did it really happen? This is the same concept to think about if you have what should be a groundbreaking idea for a business but nobody knows it exists. Without getting the word out, it doesn’t matter how good your business acumen is, it isn’t likely to take off.
Marketing is one of the most important aspects of any business. When you understand how marketing works then you have an edge over companies that have to outsource their marketing and trust that it is the right strategy. You know your business better than anybody so having a marketing degree will position you to really succeed.
3. Computer science
There are very few startups that don’t rely heavily on programmers and data scientists. Software is the backbone of just about every business there is right now. Having a CS degree is going to give you a big advantage in the business world.
In fact, you may be able to create your big idea by using your programming skills and then finding a team to build out the business around your computer skills. It’s possible to bootstrap a small business with your background and then find funding later on when you have a viable product to focus on.