Learning @ University of Life

Ndubuisi Ekekewe blogged on HBR does an entrepreneur need a college degree ? Here's my discussion with him, as published on Citeman Article section with his permission:
Learning fuels growth. The continuity in growth brings in the competitive edge . It remains the source of sustenance to survive. This learning begins with education which essentially shares knowledge in a systematic pattern. But later as an individual moves beyond a education system ie a college level degree, it moulds into experiential learning as absorbed from the environment. The discipline with which the learning is inculcated and implemented through action while making decisions ensures growth and success.
Ndubuisi Ekekwe wrote in HBR Blog ” Does an entrepreneur need a college degree?” He discussed the importance of learning and education. This discussion was triggered by the recent announcement by Peter Thiel , founder Pay Pal to support the entrepreneurship in teenagers. Here we share the discussion that we had with him.
Citeman: Nice Article. Mr. Thiel deserves a credit for providing the support, but orientation is quintessential. If it doesn’t come from the natural environment, it would be detrimental to the youngsters. It’s best to trust the education system with that orientation and then avail the support offered by him.
Even in situation, with career transition or economic cycles there can be disruptions in learning. Education may not remain available or affordable, yet ensuring personal learning remains the only way out!
Ndubuisi Ekekwe: Yes. You can never fault a billionaire. I would have preferred driving the vision through schools so that we can scale the revamped program across the nation. He has a great vision and we must commend him, but I would have wished it went through the natural environment as you said.
Citeman: We are in India. Your article is presented at the right time. Entrepreneurship is taking off in India. But thankfully due to comparatively lower cost of education and the learning oriented value system, we are still deeply rooted in completing education before we start our career.
Here’s an example from job holders, during recession many professionals lost their jobs. Mr. X is one of them, who holds a BTech Degree and MBA, both being premier institutes in India. When he was retrenched by a major IT Firm, he joined an e-learning company, as a product head . Whereas the others, who were less equipped than him, went through long term unemployment. Incidentally, they were qualified, but not from an A-list college. Situations like this make it difficult to survive with jobs, for the ones who didn’t even receive the college level education.
The point is, education provides a fall back plan and continuity, when everything fails. It stands true irrespective of age and level. Consequently, true to your word, it’s a risk worth taking!
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Your article came in an alignment to what we work for. We are creating and managing a business-oriented knowledgebase, so that education and mentoring is free and available for every learner. Thank you for inspiring us, in our endeavours.
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