It’s often debated whether entrepreneurship requires enrollment in a certain degree or is it an inborn ability to do things without a certificate or degree. Most entrepreneurs gain valuable knowledge to sharpen their skills, and prefer to take courses and degrees. However, it depends on an individual’s aptitude and preferences either to opt for a degree or learn through practical experience straight away with business ventures and startups.
To be a successful entrepreneur, you need to master quite a few skills including innovative thinking, financial management, critical thinking, communication and networking, market research, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and customer service skills. Getting a college degree prepares you for anything in advance by learning these skills.
Therefore, based on research, we have compiled a few courses that you can study to become an entrepreneur.
Courses to Study to Become an Entrepreneur
There is not a single path to entrepreneurship, not just one way. One school of thought believes that it is very hard to learn business in a school setting, it’s like learning football online, and when you make it to the ground, kicking the ball is a totally different scenario.
Therefore, it is suggested that even though you might be enrolled for a college course or enrolled in school to become an entrepreneur, you must consider working in the school setting such as joining clubs, working as a Liberian, be part of a news magazine. Or you can find a small fast-growing company, work with them, learn skills, craft deals and persuasion tactics and observe what others are doing.
Now let’s get to the courses that you should study to become an entrepreneur;
Engineering
It may surprise you but in today’s world engineers are known as future inventors. Innovation is the key driver of entrepreneurship and pushes services, technologies and products forward. The reasons why so many CEOs are engineers are because of their design thinking, creativity, analytical skills, product strategy, detail-oriented, and are trained in systematic problem-solving. A few examples are Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, General Motors Mary Barra, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and the wealthiest and most successful entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Larry page co-founder of Google also holds a degree in computer engineering. There are plenty of examples of entrepreneurs driving their lessons from education completely unrelated to business. Engineering is considered to be the future field, and it is suggested by the top entrepreneurs for getting the skills needed in the future.
Computer Science and Mathematics
Why studying computer science and Mathematics is important to becoming an entrepreneur? The answer is simple. The future is computer science, Data Science, and artificial intelligence, and everything in today’s world is built around computer science. The degree is suggested for those who wanted to launch tech startups. Every day, there is a new tech trend and technologies are emerging, therefore, computer science provides entrepreneurs with a foundation to understand that competitive edge.
As a pure bread, you must start studying something that leads to future opportunities and emerging new fields. Furthermore, today’s businesses will not be able to function without the involvement of software, websites, and social media.
Business Studies
The core aim and objective of business is to encourage and teach how to do business. However, many people studying business do not end up starting a business, rather they get involved in management and or get employment in companies. Also, business studies is a broad term, under business, students usually take different courses such as financial management, accounting, communication, report writing, proposal writing, marketing, organizational behavior, and operation.
You can also pursue a business degree specialization that includes an Entrepreneurship degree, marketing degree, human resource management, Project Management specialization, and operation Management. MBA (Master’s degree in Business Administration) is one of the top-paying degrees around the world. Besides, bachelor’s in business studies and courses are available in colleges that you can take to improve your knowledge and learning.
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is stunningly tricky. Even those who study Entrepreneurship do not end up being an entrepreneur. Those who do not even go to school become great entrepreneurs. For example, Walt Disney, Founder of the Walk Disney Company was dropped out of school at a young age. The most successful among all the successful entrepreneurs who didn’t attend any entrepreneurship degree is Mark Zuckerberg.
However, one thing in common among these entrepreneurs is having ideas, and motivation to bring change. It is possible to succeed without a college degree. However, studying Entrepreneurship makes it easier to understand the market, and offers a clear advantage.
An entrepreneurship course is suggested because it shows direction or shows you a path to walk on. Entrepreneurship revolves around the 5 P’s including persistence, patience, purpose, people and profit. You will be able to learn about these in your courses to get consistent success.
Read Books recommended by Successful Entrepreneurs
Reading books helps you to push your cognitive abilities to their limits. Famous entrepreneur Bill Gates periodically recommends books in his blog for his audience. He says’’ When I was a kid, I was obsessed with science fiction,’’ His recent collection includes ‘’ A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence’’ by Jeff Hawkins, ‘’ the code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing and the Future of the Human Race by Walter Isaacson. It’s his reading habits that helped him become a successful Entrepreneur.
Here is the list of top books, you can read to become an entrepreneur or develop entrepreneurial thinking;
- Crushing It by Gary Vaynerchuk
- The 7 Habits of Highly successful people by Stephen R. Covey
- Steve Jobs by Walter Isaac
- Rich Dad Poor DAD by Robert Kiyosaki
- Think and grow rich grow by Napoleon Hill
- Awaken the Giant Within You by Tony Robbins
- Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- The Entrepreneur Mind: 100 essential beliefs, Characteristics and Habits of Elite Entrepreneur by Kevin Johnson
Additionally, you study through YouTube videos such as TED Talks, a platform that provides space for entrepreneurs and successful people to share their experiences, tactics, ideas, and deep analysis of the future.
Study People, ventures, startups
One of the best ways to learn is to become part of a venture, company, startup, club, School Magazine, and spend time tasting. Go through exercises that give you hands-on experience. Such as going through the exercise of buying and selling and exposing yourself and finding out whether it’s easy, interesting or fun to do.
You can buy one product online on eCommerce and resell it. or go and ask for a discount at any shop randomly and learn to negotiate. You may not buy the product but you will learn persuasion communication and many other skills.
Recommendation for new Entrepreneurs
If you are passionate about entrepreneurship, there is not a single path. You could have 20 businesses fail and still become a great entrepreneur. Or you can have your venture successful in the beginning but you may not be able to sustain it.
Don’t be afraid to take your first step by thinking about a college degree, a course, or a certificate. Or don’t jump in because someone inspires you without getting into the spectrum in between. There will be lots of twists and turns. Be patient,
Also, remember, entrepreneurship requires skills that you can learn from anywhere, online platforms, attending workshops, going to market, having conversations with people involved in buying and selling. Above all, becoming an entrepreneur, and sustaining success come from learning. Meanwhile, a college course or degree provides complete information to make aware decisions and prepares you for future settings.
