Don't Like CompSci, but Entrepreneurship is my passion...

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>I'm in a bit of a dilemma here...</p>

<p>For the past 3 years of high school, I have been set on getting an undergrad degree in computer science. I have a techy background, and my dad has always owned small businesses, which rubbed off on me and I decided I wanted to get in to tech entrepreneurship, and use my compsci degree to become a technical founder.</p>

<p>However, after trying to learn programming and learning a lot about the computer science field, I realized it isn't something I would enjoy doing at all. One the other hand, I have learned that I really enjoy the idea process/marketing side of entrepreneurship. </p>

<p>Nowadays, it seems all startups have technical co founders and no non-technical ones. </p>

<p>One idea I had was minoring in compsci, but I'm not sure what bachelors I should pursue.</p>

<p>TL;DR</p>

<p>I have a techy background and I love all things technology, and I love entrepreneurship, but I don't like coding. What are some degrees I could potentially pursue?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for any responses I get. I'll be checking in and replying back to people pretty often.</p>

2

<p>Do you have a history of business ventures? Otherwise, how do you know that you love entrepreneurship</p>

3

<p>@Dreburden</p>

<p>This past year I took DECA and for the competition I did a brand new event called Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan which required you to come up with a brand new business and create a plan for it. I chose it because it required me to come up with a new idea for a business and pitch it to investors (judges) which I also really enjoyed doing, and want to do again. I made it to State but unfortunately not to nationals :(</p>

<p>Anyways, in terms of real life experience, I am currently interning at a very, very small Seattle startup clothing company. My responsibilities include pitching the designs in person to different clothing store owners and I am also beginning some social media work for the company (managing Facebook, Twitter and doing ad campaigns). </p>

<p>I also have experience in starting a business, as I have started my own non-profit venture which I will be pursuing in full force with my partners over the summer.</p>

4

<p>Start up a simple non tech business like making t shirts. Thatll help you get your feet wet more quickly</p>

5

<p>@Dreburden</p>

<p>Yes, that is a good suggestion to get experience in what I want to do! However I was asking specifically about degrees, if you have any suggestions.</p>

6

<p>Don’t major in CS if you don’t like it. You will hate your life on junior and senior level classes</p>

<p>Steve Jobs didn’t know much about programming, computer science or electrical engineering yet he was successful.</p>

7

<p>@lightnin</p>

<p>Yeah that’s exactly what I am trying to avoid. I want to enjoy my field of study, not hate it. </p>

<p>Do you have any suggestions based on my situation?</p>

8

<p>If you want to stay in engineering you could look into industrial engineering. </p>

<p>

My team participated in a business plan challenge, as well! It got me hooked! It was such a great experience building your company from the ground up. I remember one of our judges was the CEO of some engineering business. It was pretty cool talking to him. Goes to show that engineering and business can really tie together.</p>

9

<p>If you don’t like CS, then don’t major in it. That said, it’s very hard to join a tech start-up if you don’t have a programming background. When you’re asked the question “What are you bringing to the table?” you need to have an answer. That is, you must have a skill that’s needed. Being an “idea guy” isn’t going to cut it in an industry where ideas are as plentiful as raindrops.</p>

<p>What is a skill or talent that you exceed in and that you enjoy? Maybe you’re good at talking to people, managing, chemistry, math, or design. Any of those could be used in a startup. Also, keep in mind that entrepreneurship exists outside of CS. Other fields might not be as visible these days, but there’s a lot of exciting new companies in other fields too.</p>

10

<p>@Adamah</p>

<p>Yea, I know now that I shouldnt pursue CS if I dont like it. I dont want to hate myself 4 years from now for not doing something I enjoyed. </p>

<p>I dont mind being a part of non tech startups as well. For me its been more about the rising startup culture that I really want to be a part of, and I realize non tech startups are a part of this too.</p>

<p>Even though I dont like programming, I am relatively good at math. As a senior I will be in AP Calc. I think I am good at managing and talking to people as well.</p>

<p>Still, nobody has yet given me suggestions about a degree I could pursue that pertains to my skill set. Management Information Systems crossed my radar but I know little about the degree. Another option I’m highly considering is getting a Business or Accounting/Finance degree with a minor in CS. </p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

11

<p>Tech startups need non-tech people far more than their engineers are willing to admit they do. While you might not be able to program, the willingness to do business/marketing/organization/big picture stuff is quite a boon. That’s the kind of work most programmers find distasteful - most of them just want a chance to work on their project and leave the “business” stuff to other people.</p>

<p>Just make sure that if you aren’t really all that familiar with the code, you still have something substantial to offer. Otherwise you’re just unnecessary and expendable.</p>

12

<p>

I gave you one…I mean…you never commented on it so…</p>

<p>Accounting with minor in CS sounds good. You’ll be able to “bring something to the table”. Make sure to have at least a background in programming.</p>

13

<p>It seems to me that the best degree for you would be something with an emphasis on written and digital communications. These are things that you can pursue on your own regardless of what you major in though. mis is a degree better suited to someone working in a large company</p>

14

<p>Take a look at Babson college. In particular, take a hard look at the curriculum and its affiliation with Olin engineering and science programs. It sounds like this might hold some interest for you.</p>

15

<p>

Tech startups (eventually) need non-tech people, but that’s a much easier role to fill. There’s millions of people they can pick from for a marketing position, but the demand for talented programmers is far higher than the supply.</p>

<p>Also, tech startups don’t usually recruit non-tech people (aside from possibly a cofounder) until the company has matured beyond 5 or 6 people. That’s still a pretty small company, but it’s definitely hard to join a tech company at birth without a tech background.</p>

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<p>Consider a business degree at an engineering school such as RPI, WPI, CMU. etc.

from WPI [School</a> of Business: Undergraduate - WPI](<a href=“http://www.wpi.edu/academics/business/undergraduate.html]School”>http://www.wpi.edu/academics/business/undergraduate.html)</p>

17

<p>

While that’s true, it’s also extremely misleading. With businesspeople, a bad one could run the entire company into the ground in 2-3 years and leave everyone in it none the wiser. Not so with programmers - their work stands for itself and you can easily tell good from bad.</p>

<p>Do you think that under such ambiguous circumstances, the majority of businesspeople will be good at their job?</p>

<p>

This is based on nothing, honestly. There is no set correct way to go about making a tech startup, so you can’t say this. A bunch of programmers with no understanding of business is a group of hobbyists.</p>

18

<p>First off, I just wanted to say thank you to all the people that have replied. I really do appreciate your responses.</p>

<p>Instead of responding to everyone’s response individually, I’ll just write about what I’ve gathered from you guys and any questions I have.</p>

<p>So first off, the main point I have gathered is that I need to be at least somewhat familiar with the technical side of things. This would make me more valuable because I wouldn’t be oblivious to what the technical people are doing and I can better communicate with them. </p>

<p>This leads me to my second thought, which is that I need to major in something that is either:

  1. Related to IT
    or 2) Minor in CS</p>

<p>Furthermore, I’ve gathered that I should look into schools with an entrepreneurial spirit. Unfortunately, I am limited to colleges on the West Coast, more specifically Seattle or San Francisco. I took a look at Babson College, per someones suggestion, but financially it wouldn’t be feasible for me to move to the East Coast. </p>

<p>I think that on a larger note, what is important is that in order for me to be in the startup world, I have to have something to offer. “What makes me stand out?” is the question I should be asking myself. Unfortunately, as a high school Junior I really don’t know what is going to make me stand out 5-6 years from now. What I do know is this: I love startup culture, and it’s a field I would love to be a part of (regardless of whether it’s a tech startup or non-tech). </p>

<p>As for me personally, from whatever research I have done, I think pursuing CS as a minor is the best choice. It will give me a competitive edge because I will be able to understand developers, which will take down a communication barrier, and possibly allow me to be more helpful to my team. As for a major, I am thinking Business, Finance, or Accounting. I’m not sure which one interests me the most, but from my research I have found Accounting to be the most marketable, in the scenario I need a corporate job after college. </p>

<p>Again, I’m still looking for any advice I can get and I appreciate all the advice I’ve been given so far.</p>

19

<p>

Pick something and develop that skill. You have time.
If you’re not sure what is valuable, then you should start looking. That’s what this time is for.</p>