If you dream of entrepreneurship but you're still a teenager, it isn't too early to get started. Some people become entrepreneurs while still in college, but even if you don't get your first business started quite that soon, there is still plenty you can do to lay the foundation for a successful career of starting and running your own company or companies. You don't necessarily need a degree to launch your company, but there are some real advantages to getting one.
You can take classes in business and entrepreneurship and learn a lot from people who have been there before you instead of having to learn by potentially costly trial and error on your own. Colleges offer several resources to people who are interested in starting their own business. You may also make invaluable connections that you keep for the rest of your life.
Paying for Your Degree
Perhaps one of the best arguments against getting your degree is the cost of it. You might wonder whether you should be putting that money into your future business instead. However, there are several options to pay for your education, such as scholarships and grants. You can also take out private student loans. You can find potential lenders both offline and online that you might be eligible to borrow from.
Campus Resources
You should make the most of any campus resources to help you learn more and connect with others who are interested in entrepreneurship. Start by finding out if your college has a center for entrepreneurship. Talk to your professors as well, particularly those who have a background in founding a business. It is not uncommon for colleges to hire professors who have practical experience, and some of them may be industry insiders, with useful information to share. You should feel free to visit your professors during their office hours. They are usually happy to spend some time with engaged students even if your discussion isn't strictly related to the course. Your school probably also has student organizations focused on business and entrepreneurship that you should join.
There are two other types of campus resources you should make a point to take advantage of. One is tech. You're in a great place to learn more about emerging technologies and to get a chance to use them. Look for workshops or speakers on campus related to emerging technology and business. The other is the huge variety of courses available. Don't assume that you should only take business courses. Having a broad-based education will serve you well in business, where it's important to be able to connect with many different types of people. Classes such as psychology, political science, and history as well as those with a global perspective will help you better understand people, the world, and why things are the way they are.
Development and Funding Opportunities
There may be development and funding opportunities at your university, but whether this is the case, you can look beyond that as well. College is a great time to get started with an idea you have for a product or service because your fellow students are almost precisely the demographics many companies are looking at as customers, young, educated, and soon to have a disposal income. In fact, in some classes, you might get the opportunity to further develop your idea by writing a business plan, doing market research, and drawing up a projection of your expenses and profits.
One of the problems of growing companies is that they have not utilized all their resources, break that cycle now before it starts. There are business competitions aimed at both students and the general public, and you can take part in these. Even if you don't win any funding, the experience of having to pitch your idea to a panel of judges can teach you a lot. If you aren't selected, take this as an opportunity to identify where your weakness was so you can refine it for your next pitch. In addition, there are funding programs specifically aimed at students. This is also true of entrepreneurial development programs. The latter can connect you with resources that can be useful for a startup.
Internships and Mentors
An internship can be invaluable. You might think that you don't need an internship because you don't plan on working for someone else, but there is so much you can learn from being in a corporate environment, including behavioral conventions and what you do and don't want in your own workplace. It's also a great way to make connections. If you can't find an internship, a part-time job in a professional environment can teach you the same things. Either of these can also put you in contact with a mentor, someone who can guide and advise you. Your school may also have a program that connects students with mentors who live in the community or who are alumni.
