Leave the university

by ITmarck

Posted: 12 years ago 18 replies

OFF TOPIC

Hi Warriors!

I have to make a difficult choice and I'd like to hear the opinion of others.

I'm 20 and I have an italian internet marketing firm (i'm the ceo and seo project manager) and also I manage some ebook business on different niches. I started this job 4 years ago.

Most of my earnings come from offline companies or ecommerce.

The work is giving me great satisfaction but at the same time takes me a lot of time so now it's difficult for me to continue with studies.

What do you think about this? Should I leave university? There will be no future for internet marketing experts?

Thanks.

Isaiah Coe 12 years ago

Tips from a go who hasn't been to college yet.

If you have already paid for the semester/year, stay until it's over anyway.

If you feel over worked try outsourcing the things that tire you. Or hire someone locally to do your work.

But if you decide to drop a few client they will probably understand. You may not be able to get them back as clients though.

My 2 cents.
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taskemann 12 years ago

Remember - The best investment you can do is to invest in your education and secure your future.

If you one day doesn't have your business or any income from your business and want to apply for a job, it would been nice to have a university diploma that shows that you've achived an degree. Wouldn't it?
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Alice grubb 12 years ago

Don't leave your studies....it's a security for your future..
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ITmarck 12 years ago

I am already outsourcing lot of things.. In fact i'm using my days to "manage" all, and not to do things that can be done by virtual assistant.

And also I'm studying "Economy" but unfortunately there isn't a specific course for web marketing. Also I would in any case be an entrepreneur because it is a lifestyle that makes me feel free to take better decisions for my life.

At the same time I feel the pressure as if it were required to be graduates to be someone in life. It's a frustrating situation!
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Ernie Lo 12 years ago

[DELETED]

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- ITmarck 12 years ago
  
  I have done 1 year of university but I gave half of the exams.
  
  The problem is that I can not imagine a normal job!
  
  Thanks
  
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ITmarck 12 years ago

I have a "High School Diploma" (as accountant and programmer) but not an "university degree" ..to clarify the discussion
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hardraysnight 12 years ago

there are always extramural and part time studies and more students are starting university later in life.

my father received his bachelor on his 50th birthday, totally useless, little help in getting employment, but as he says, looks good on the wall

i say do what you do do well, and when you are ready you can start university

learn more outside a university than within
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Alexa Smith Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by ITmarck

What do you think about this? Should I leave university?

No, I think you should stay.

The reality is always likely to be that this is the most convenient time of your life to complete your studies and graduate. Yes, there are tiny numbers of people who manage to go back and graduate later in life, but they're the exceptions, not the rule.

Originally Posted by ITmarck

There will be no future for internet marketing experts?

I think there will, but it doesn't matter. The value of education doesn't necessarily have much to do with earning potential, anyway. Education is far more important than that.

I'm like you (but two or so years older), and I was when I was 20, perhaps, too. I'm terribly busy. I'm earning a living online and have little time for university commitments. But I made sure I finished my degree first, and I'm a (very, very) part-time PhD student now. The time pressure is off, and however slowly I do it, and however long it takes me, I'll make sure I complete that, too (eventually!).

You often hear people saying how much they regret not graduating from university. You very rarely (even here, where some people have extreme, narrow-minded perspectives of education and contrive to look at it only in terms of earning potential :rolleyes: :p ) hear people saying they wish they hadn't stayed at university for the full degree-course. You're more likely to have regrets if you drop out than if you stay. In all cases of doubt - stay.

Just my opinion.
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travlinguy 12 years ago

I think it depends. Some of the dopiest people I know have college degrees. They have trouble tying their shoes. Even with degrees they can't get decent jobs.

You don't mention what you're studying. I feel that matters a lot. I went to college for a specific purpose, so I could get a professional license that only comes with a degree.

That license is my insurance policy because it almost literally guarantees me a good job no matter what else is going in our society. So if you're studying something that gives you marketable credentials in a profession that's in demand, then yes, stay with it even if you don't see any immediate value right now. Do whatever you have to do to finish.

If the degree is of some nebulous variety, then it's not worth much anyway. I have a half brother who spent 6 years getting a liberal arts degree. He majored in recess I think. He owes a LOT in student loans. He's a very bright guy but his idiotic degree isn't going to get him anywhere. Most of his classes were pass/fail. Ugh. He can't even get an entry-level management job with it because people with specialized degrees have most of these jobs.

So again, I think it depends on what your original plan was. When it comes right down to it, you're the one who needs to make the decision. Good luck.
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- AprilCT 12 years ago
  
  This is a tough decision for you to make. Perhaps you need to focus on something more specific than economics?
  
  I would urge you not to quit, but instead to rearrange what you are doing. It might be that you are taking too many classes at one time, and you could cut back on that so you aren't feeling this way. Your work and your studies can both be handled if you just step outside your feelings and take a hard look at your time commitments and make them work for you.
  
  Suppose you do quit and your business goes well? Many people without sufficient education have become rather well-off financially. The whole problem with that is they often got ripped off by many others just because they didn't learn enough to know better. Education is an absolute must, even if you have to do it part-time. Street smarts only takes you so far.
  
  Thanks
  
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ITmarck 12 years ago

I am enrolled in the "Marketing" course. What kind of work I want to do in future? What I am doing now.

The only reason why I would continue to study is in case I'll have problems in the future with my current job.
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- Alexa Smith Banned 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by ITmarck
  
  The only reason why I would continue to study is in case I'll have problems in the future with my current job.
  
  So you've decided that the sole value of education, to you, relates to "future employment prospects"?
  
  I'm really sorry (and rather surprised) to hear a university student saying that.
  
  I'm just hoping that I've misinterpreted or overinterpreted what you've said. And I wish you good luck, whatever you decide.
  
  Thanks
  
  2 replies
  
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  ITmarck 12 years ago
  
  probably the university system in your country is seen from different points of view. Unfortunately, I must add that a large number of Italian students continue only because "need a piece of paper for the future".
  
  The other important problem is that the first 3 years of economic university in italy are very general + 2 of specialization (marketing). In the first three years there is even an exam of pure mathematics that has no following in the university curriculum of next years.
  
  I studied subjects such as accounting and private law. Are matters which I appreciated, but in the course in question there are really many exams almost useless for the kind of path that interests me.
  
  Many exams are also totally disconnected from each other. They are therefore a series of modules that studies and then forget largely
  
  Thanks
  
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  Joseph Robinson Banned 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Alexa Smith
  
  I'm really sorry (and rather surprised) to hear a university student saying that.
  
  I'm not, especially considering the state of the global economy. Over here, you will hear a student with the same sentiment making that statement at least three times per day.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  AprilCT 12 years ago
  
  I believe there is value is learning something that you seem to consider off-topic such as mathematics.
  
  I went to a business school after high school. I thought it was stupid at the time that we were expected to spend some time learning about psychology and accounting...totally unrelated to the main course I was taking.
  
  Looking back, I now wonder why we didn't get even more additions that I thought had nothing to do with preparing you for a brick and mortar work life.
  
  It was up to me to learn on my own more of the finer aspects of running a business and that wasn't even started until about 7 years after I left high school. Fortunately, in my case, I was not only able to think things through, but found I had some natural talent that helped.
  
  The opportunities available to anyone to learn online now for free at many of the universities were totally unimaginable back when I was a young'un. You won't receive a degree from them, but they are out there for the taking. I think in some cases, not all, you just have to buy books.
  
  One reason to stay, or even change places where you are going, is that you might change your mind later in life about what you really want to do. The background and degree you get now will make a difference in how fast you can make a switch. Getting a degree now and learning more might even enhance the business you are now running to take it a lot further than you expect.
  
  Thanks
  
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logocows 12 years ago

You can try asking yourself first if you're really happy on what you're doing.

Thinking that after education, the fact that you still need to work your way to earn money.

If you can do it now, why not?

I believe IM is the future endeavor that will surely stabilize financial matters.

Well then goodluck!
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BrandonLee 12 years ago

This is a little off topic - but IMO I-tunes university is just about the coolest thing in the world. There are entire courses from amazing teachers and universities available there. While you don't get credit or certificates or a degree, you learn and grow, which is something that has tremendous value.

I think you should stay in college fwiw. I went off to college in 1996 and dropped out just shy of getting my degree because I started to make a decent living online and I became more excited about growing my business vs continuing my studies. I've never needed to go back because I've continue to do well and I will never use the degree, but I'm currently enrolled to finish up in any case starting in January. I'll never use the degree, certainly not for a job, but it still has value, if nothing else just personal value to me and knowing I finished something I started.
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johnpaulgrant 12 years ago

Better continue with your studies and go get a college degree. It's way more important above all else. It's a very hard decision but do what you think is the best for you.
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