How many times were you been told to study hard to get a degree so that you can get a good job. If you think degree allows you to make money, you are wrong. You don't go to university to learn how to make money, you go to a university to learn how to get a good job and pick up a few skills.
It's cruel to know that with a degree there's no guarantee of a good career. Let's see the 8th entrepreneurs (Which I know) who didn't have their college education and become billionaires/millionaires.
World's Richest
Bill Gates. Ranked as the world’s richest person from 1995-2006, Bill Gates was a college drop out. He started the largest computer software company, Microsoft Corporation. Gates and his wife are philanthropists, starting The Bill & Melinda Fates Foundation with a focus on global health and learning.Asia's Richest
Li Ka Shing Asia's richest resident. His fortune is centered on conglomerates Cheung Kong and Hutchison Whampoa. Through them Li is the world's largest operator of container terminals, a major supplier of electricity to Hong Kong, a cell phone provider, retailer and real estate developer. Also has a nearly $10 billion stake in Canadian oil company Husky Energy. Recently announced plans to donate one-third of wealth over time, calling it "his third son." Eldest son, Victor, helps run massive empire; son Richard struck out on his own in early 1990s. Once a poor immigrant, Li got his start selling plastic flowers in Hong Kong in the 1950s.Malaysia Richest (No. 3)
Lim Goh Tong Former public works contractor turned his idea for a hilltop resort outside Kuala Lumpur into one of the world's biggest casinos, with more than 6,000 rooms and 14 million annual visitors. Handed chairmanship of Genting Group to son Lim Kok Thay last year. He still runs Star Cruises, the world's third-largest cruise ship group. Its NCL subsidiary recently launched the first U.S.-flagged cruise ship in nearly half a century.Michael Dell. With $1,000, dedication and desire, Michael Dell dropped out of college at age 19 to start PC’s Limited, later named Dell, Inc. Dell became the most profitable PC manufacturer in the world. In 1996, The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation offered a $50 million grant to The University of Texas at Austin to be used for children’s health and education in the city.
Steve Jobs. After attending one semester of college, Steve Jobs worked for Atari before co-founding Apple Computers. Now without the “Computers” in their name, Apple includes innovative products such as the iPod, iTunes, and most recently the iPhone. Steve Jobs was also the CEO and co-founder of Pixar before it merged with Walt Disney.
Simon Cowell. Simon Cowell started in a mailroom for a music publishing company. He has since become an Artist and Repertoire (A&R) executive for Sony BMG in the UK, and a television producer and judge for major television talent contests including American Idol.
Walt Disney. Having dropped out of high school at 16, Walt Disney’s career and accomplishments are astounding. The most influential animator, Disney holds the record for the most awards and nominations. Disney’s imagination included cartoons and theme parks. The Walt Disney Company now has annual revenue of $30 billion.
Ty Warner. Sole owner, CEO, and Chairman of Ty, Inc., Ty Warner is a savvy, yet private business man. Ty, Inc., made $700 million in a single year with the Beanie Babies craze without spending money on advertising! He has since expanded to include Ty Girlz dolls, directly competing with Bratz dolls.
Once more:
"Do you think a degree is still necessary?"
A degree will help you get work and not everyone has that entrepreneurial spirit, a degree still necessary for most. I don't think that having a degree is absolutely necessary to be successful. There are plenty of people who are successful without degrees, but there are plenty of people who are not successful or are held back because what they really want to do requires a degree.
November 8th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
The degree will worth only as much if the knowledge do not match that paper.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:07 am
Learning is a continuous, life long process. To me, where education is concerned, you should go as far as you can. Take degree, go for masters, or even PhD one day.
People like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are drop outs but had they continue studies they'd still score good marks because they were achievers; it's just that they had decisions to make, and they considered their priorities when making the decision.
That being said, never think that once you flunked in school or college, failed your degree and so on, it will be the end of the world.
Back to question, is degree still necessary? We are the only who can answer that….
November 11th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Hi Paddy Tan.
Yup, probably the knowledge, like I said "A degree will help you get work and not everyone has that entrepreneurial spirit, a degree still necessary for most."
Hi Zul,
Thanks for the valueable comment, it's up to individuals, probably a degree is just a key to open to a better world with lesser obstacles than those do not.