⚡ Get All Content for 20% Off ⚡

How Going to State College Prepared Me for Entrepreneurship Dropping out to start your business may not be right for all entrepreneurs.

By Nevin Shetty

entrepreneur daily

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Hero Images | Getty Images

There are many stories of entrepreneurs that start companies in their dorm rooms and then drop out of college to work full-time on the business. These types of stories are exciting and sensational reading.

Related: Why the Traditional 4-Year Degree Isn't Cutting It Anymore

However, the vast majority of entrepreneurs finish college and even go on to work in their chosen field until the desire to strike out on our own becomes too great -- or the opportunities too irresistible. At least, that is what happened to me.

I grew up in Seattle, so when the time came to choose a college, all I could think about was getting as far away as possible. I wanted to explore and be on my own. My father, however, had different ideas. Although it was on my list of chosen colleges, I was forced to attend University of Washington -- it was the best value (in-state tuition) for the best education (top 25 ranking in U.S. News & World Report).

Perhaps fathers do know best, because those four years were arguably the best of my life. I loved being a part of a huge state school and quickly saw my innate personality traits being honed by the communities I found and the course work put before me.

State colleges are a sink or swim environment. With large class sizes and perpetual limited administrative oversight, no one holds your hand on the road to success. I quickly realized that going to football games or partying were not fun unless they were earned. I learned that much of what I wanted to achieve depended on using my free time productively.

Related: The 25 Best Undergraduate Programs for Entrepreneurship in 2017

Years later -- as I was spending my days as a hedge fund executive and my nights and weekends as a tech startup founder -- I relied upon these lessons in time management.

Building a network

I joined many student clubs and organizations in college, from Beta Alpha Psi (accounting) and Dow Dawgs Finance Association (finance) to becoming a member of the Undergraduate Business Council and president of the Undergraduate Management Consulting Association.

Through my involvement in these organizations, I gained exposure to a variety of people, personalities and aspects of life that I had never experienced; my horizons expanded and I learned a lot about myself in the process.

As an entrepreneur today, I rely on a vast network of mentors-at-large. At least three days a week, I go to coffee with someone new to exchange ideas and information and to simply hear his or her story. Through these conversations, I get advice and -- much like my communities in college -- the benefit of a new perspective. My network is always expanding and my thinking stays agile; not to mention, the change of environment (getting out of the office) is great for my mental well-being.

Related: What You Need to Know Before Choosing a College Major

Developing a team

When the time came to recruit new talent to Blueprint Registry, I leveraged my network to build the team. The time I spent embedded in the communities at the University of Washington prepared me to evaluate potential new hires. It is not enough to find someone that fits in terms of personality and skillset -- truly successful teams require more. We only hire someone if we will both be better as a result of working together, and if we can accomplish more than either of us would be able to do on our own. We look for partners, not employees.

Exploring opportunities

Like most finance majors, I had a few internships while in college. I spent time working for Merrill Lynch and Smith Barney dealing in private wealth management. Instead of feeding a spark, this experience showed me that private wealth management was not right for me at that point in my career. My internships taught me how to evaluate opportunities and understand my own passions.

Related: 5 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Don't Thrive in School

It wasn't long before I had the chance to apply this skill again when I made the decision to leave finance and pursue tech full-time. It was a tough call to make; I loved my job working at a hedge fund, but ultimately decided that my true passion was exploring big ideas, like changing ecommerce.

So, while the "dorm room startup" narrative is a popular one, I firmly believe that without going to college and actually finishing, I would not have the experiences and skills I needed to find success as an entrepreneur. From getting the right advice at the right time to building a team that is greater than the sum of its parts, entrepreneurship is challenging, and college prepared me to overcome those challenges with an open mind and lots of hard work.

Related Video: Do You Need a College Degree to Be Successful?

Nevin Shetty

CEO and Co-Founder of Blueprint Registry

Nevin Shetty is CEO and co-founder of Blueprint Registry, a unique registry website that let users combine their registries from top retailers, ask for cash, and personalize their experience for weddings, babies, new homes and graduations.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Remote Side Hustle a 43-Year-Old Musician Works on for 1 Hour a Day Earns Nearly $3,000 a Month: 'All From the Comfort of Home'

Sam Ziegler wanted to supplement his income as a professional drummer — then his tech skills and desire to help people came together.

Business News

Costco CFO Reveals Uncertain Fate of $1.50 Hot Dog and Soda Combo

CFO Richard Galanti reveals that the price will stay the same — but only "for a while."

Business News

The Most Unexpectedly Popular Side Hustle of the Decade Has Low Startup Costs and High Markups

A new report shows that vending machines are a popular investment — and the industry is set to grow up to $3 billion by 2031.

Marketing

Ever Wonder Why Certain Websites Rank Higher Than Yours? This SEO Expert Reveals The Secret to Dominating Search Results

It's often the smart use of SEO, now supercharged with AI, particularly in keyword optimization.

Business News

AI Is Impacting Jobs. Here Are the Gigs Affected the Most, According to an Analysis of 5 Million Upwork Postings

The researcher said in the report that freelance jobs were analyzed first because that market will likely see AI's immediate impact.

Leadership

Former Interrogator Shares 5 Behaviors Liars Exhibit and How to Handle Them

Five deceptive behaviors to look for and how to respond to those behaviors when you encounter them.