<p>How useful are the core Haas classes for someone interested in entrepreneurship?</p>
<p>I'm talking about general business classes like Micro/Macro Analysis, Accounting (x2), Finance, Organizational Behavior, Marketing, Business Ethics, management classes, leadership, etc..</p>
<p>I'm asking because if they're not that useful, I might be better off as a non-Haas-major separately taking the 2-3 classes that Haas specifically offers in entrepreneurship, and spending my time on other pursuits.</p>
<p>Also, are there any entrepreneurship programs specifically only for Haas majors?</p>
<p>Obviously the best education is a real world one, but this will do.</p>
<p>I think it depends on what you’re ultimately passionate in; if you are looking to lead a tech start-up and are interested in the technical side, for example, I’d pursue a CS or EECS degree and entertain the possibility of doubling that (likely CS over EECS since the former is more flexible) with Haas. If you aren’t Haas, it may be difficult to get into the Haas core, though it’s often done with UGBA 103 (since there are a lot of seats) and, I believe to a lesser extent, the 102 series (accounting).</p>
<p>Definitely agree with the comment that Haas is more corporation-geared than entrepreneurship-geared.</p>
<p>Furthermore, if you take a look at the entrepreneurship community in Berkeley, you’ll notice that it is much smaller than that of other colleges. Maybe that’s a sign of what this college churns out.</p>
<p>Also, if you’re really built to be an entrepreneur, you wouldn’t really need the classes. It’s never too early to seek out some real-world experience.</p>
<p>you’re not thinking like an entrepreneur here. haas core are good just so you know enough basic business topics that will get you through the recruiting in the ABC’s </p>
<p>what do you expect to learn in a classroom that would benefit an entrepreneur? “oh, here’s where u can go to get some VC money, or a gov’t loan” or “oh hey, yeah, they say you need to really have a passion to start your own company. that question will be on the test!”</p>
<p>yeahno. a common theme in business is that it’s not what you know but who you know. as excelblue said, you need to go out and get some real-world experiences and meet people and build a solid network. </p>
<p>if you think haas will help you do that, then pursue that path. if the field you know you want to start building businesses in requires background knowledge (say biochem, programming, etc etc,) then pursue those degree options. </p>
<p>In my opinion, going to ANY college would be stifling for a serious entrepreneur. I would just stay home and focus on what you were trying to do. I wouldn’t even say that Harvard has a large entrepreneur community. If it did then Zuckerberg and Gates would’ve stayed instead of dropping out.</p>
<p>I would actually argue that Berkeley has quite a large entrepreneurial presence compared to most other schools. It’s just not as visible because so many people end up doing accounting, banking, or consulting. You have to go a bit out of your way to find it, but there are DEFINITELY a TON of resources for aspiring entrepreneurs at Berkeley, especially with the proximity to Silicon Valley. There are professors who have a lot of experience and if you talk to the right people, they can connect you.</p>
<p>In terms of needing Haas, I think it depends on whether you’re going to be on the business side or the more technical side. I think having the Haas network could help, but isn’t absolutely necessary especially if you’re more technical</p>
<p>College is only stifling for an entrepreneur if you take it like the average student. Just like everything else, too much can be detrimental. I personally see college as a place to discover yourself and see more of the world while you open up opportunities to seize. Once you’ve seized a good opportunity, that’s when college starts to hold you back. The answer, in that case, is to drop out.</p>
<p>If you look at the examples of successful entrepreneurs, all of them went to college. Several of them just dropped out once they reaped what they needed: connections and opportunities, not education and credentials.</p>