Which degrees offer best self-employment opportunities
Hi, I’m currently sitting my A level exams - Maths, Physics, Economics - and am still deciding on a few options moving forward one of which is getting a degree. I am pragmatic and practical and have been running my own second hand bike business for a few years now along side my studies. Clearly my parents believe I am something of an entrepreneur so I am looking for any advice or direction to which degree/s I should consider that will nurture my traits/strengths and offer the best route/opportunities for self employment in the future.
Reply 1
Original post by Lambot06
Hi, I’m currently sitting my A level exams - Maths, Physics, Economics - and am still deciding on a few options moving forward one of which is getting a degree. I am pragmatic and practical and have been running my own second hand bike business for a few years now along side my studies. Clearly my parents believe I am something of an entrepreneur so I am looking for any advice or direction to which degree/s I should consider that will nurture my traits/strengths and offer the best route/opportunities for self employment in the future.
This sounds like a loaded question.
As you have quickly pointed out, you have ran your own second hand bike business. (This is admirable when you're currently doing A Levels alongside your business, provided it's legal.) This more or less points out that you can become self employed without needing a degree or most qualifications, so what is the basis of your question?
An entrepreneur is by definition someone who starts a business. See the following for example:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/entrepreneur.asp
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/entrepreneur
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/entrepreneur
...so, I think the more appropriate question you should be asking is what sort of entrepreneur do you want to be as opposed to which degree is best for for self employment.
If you want to go into specific sectors, then it makes sense to understand what the requirements are for going into the sector prior to starting a business there (this can vary from country to country). For example, if I want to start an architecture firm, it wouldn't make that much sense for me to do a degree in say French and German. On the other hand, if I want to start an IT workshop, I wouldn't exactly need a degree in computer science.
You would also quickly realise that you won't need a degree in business to start a business. The business knowledge is useful, but you won't need it as you would know (especially if it's purely for a small business or on a self employment basis).
If you can be clearer about what you are looking for (and include details of which country if it's outside of the UK), then I might be of a bit more help.
Reply 2
Without question, a Computer Science (CS) degree is the best choice. Here are a few compelling reasons why:
1. Abundant Remote Job Opportunities: Software engineering boasts one of the highest numbers of fully remote jobs. Many senior-level positions offer contract work with hourly pay, providing flexibility and competitive compensation.
2. Thriving AI Industry: The field of Artificial Intelligence is booming, presenting numerous opportunities to create your own software company. The demand for AI solutions is rapidly increasing, making it a promising area for innovation and entrepreneurship.
3. Potential for Entrepreneurship: A CS degree equips you with the skills to develop your own software products. Consider the success of paid software services like Adobe, ChatGPT, Microsoft Office Suite, LeetCode, and various antivirus products. With a solid foundation in computer science, you could create a successful product and generate significant income while being self-employed.
4. Versatile Computer Literacy: A CS degree provides you with versatile skills applicable in various tech fields such as software development, cybersecurity, and game development. Additionally, the knowledge gained will be invaluable in other tasks like video editing or advanced photo editing, including deepfake algorithms.
Whether you choose to pursue a CS degree and gain experience as a software engineer before starting your own company (a common route) or dive straight into entrepreneurship, both approaches are valid. Your choice will depend on your skillset and your tolerance for stress and risk.
1. Abundant Remote Job Opportunities: Software engineering boasts one of the highest numbers of fully remote jobs. Many senior-level positions offer contract work with hourly pay, providing flexibility and competitive compensation.
2. Thriving AI Industry: The field of Artificial Intelligence is booming, presenting numerous opportunities to create your own software company. The demand for AI solutions is rapidly increasing, making it a promising area for innovation and entrepreneurship.
3. Potential for Entrepreneurship: A CS degree equips you with the skills to develop your own software products. Consider the success of paid software services like Adobe, ChatGPT, Microsoft Office Suite, LeetCode, and various antivirus products. With a solid foundation in computer science, you could create a successful product and generate significant income while being self-employed.
4. Versatile Computer Literacy: A CS degree provides you with versatile skills applicable in various tech fields such as software development, cybersecurity, and game development. Additionally, the knowledge gained will be invaluable in other tasks like video editing or advanced photo editing, including deepfake algorithms.
Whether you choose to pursue a CS degree and gain experience as a software engineer before starting your own company (a common route) or dive straight into entrepreneurship, both approaches are valid. Your choice will depend on your skillset and your tolerance for stress and risk.
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 3
Original post by Lambot06
Hi, I’m currently sitting my A level exams - Maths, Physics, Economics - and am still deciding on a few options moving forward one of which is getting a degree. I am pragmatic and practical and have been running my own second hand bike business for a few years now along side my studies. Clearly my parents believe I am something of an entrepreneur so I am looking for any advice or direction to which degree/s I should consider that will nurture my traits/strengths and offer the best route/opportunities for self employment in the future.
Im not sure you need a degree for being an entrepreneur, why not take a gap year & just get on with it, see if it takes off. You’ll learn more through doing then reading. Most business degrees do very little for making you a business owner.
If i had to make a recommendation probably something like accounting as being able to understand cash flow, a balance sheet etc. would be useful.
The only degree im aware of renowned for entrepreneurship is the Stanford MBA which acts as a hit of an incubator however I broadly suspect you aren’t going to be ready for that.
Reply 4
18
Original post by Lambot06
Hi, I’m currently sitting my A level exams - Maths, Physics, Economics - and am still deciding on a few options moving forward one of which is getting a degree. I am pragmatic and practical and have been running my own second hand bike business for a few years now along side my studies. Clearly my parents believe I am something of an entrepreneur so I am looking for any advice or direction to which degree/s I should consider that will nurture my traits/strengths and offer the best route/opportunities for self employment in the future.
If being an entrepreneur is your thing, don't waste your time going to university. Get on with it. You will make mistakes and figure things out but now is the time to do it because you are time rich and have no commitments other than to yourself. And getting into bikes is brilliant thing to do as it is currently a boom industry.
Good luck!
Reply 5
Hello, from personal experience, I'd recommend you take up the gap year suggestion. While we can advise you on what to do, a gap year would give you plenty of time to understand yourself and make decisions based on what you know about yourself.
Personally, before Uni, I also had a small business I was running, and everything was cool. So, when I decided to take up a gap year, I later realized that while I was good at running a business, my passion was elsewhere. Years later, I am into research and data analysis and looking forward to starting an analytics firm. Thing is, you have to understand yourself first. And gap years are a good opportunity to do just that. Many studies recommend it: https://www.gapyearassociation.org/data-benefits/
With all that, prioritize yourself first before taking up any advice.
Personally, before Uni, I also had a small business I was running, and everything was cool. So, when I decided to take up a gap year, I later realized that while I was good at running a business, my passion was elsewhere. Years later, I am into research and data analysis and looking forward to starting an analytics firm. Thing is, you have to understand yourself first. And gap years are a good opportunity to do just that. Many studies recommend it: https://www.gapyearassociation.org/data-benefits/
With all that, prioritize yourself first before taking up any advice.
Original post by Lambot06
Hi, I’m currently sitting my A level exams - Maths, Physics, Economics - and am still deciding on a few options moving forward one of which is getting a degree. I am pragmatic and practical and have been running my own second hand bike business for a few years now along side my studies. Clearly my parents believe I am something of an entrepreneur so I am looking for any advice or direction to which degree/s I should consider that will nurture my traits/strengths and offer the best route/opportunities for self employment in the future.
Reply 6
Lambot06
OP
1
Thank you for your advice a taking the time to respond constructively. I’ll check out the link supplied 👍🏼
Reply 7
Lambot06
OP
1
Original post by hotpud
If being an entrepreneur is your thing, don't waste your time going to university. Get on with it. You will make mistakes and figure things out but now is the time to do it because you are time rich and have no commitments other than to yourself. And getting into bikes is brilliant thing to do as it is currently a boom industry.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Reply 8
Lambot06
OP
1
Original post by MindMax2000
This sounds like a loaded question.
As you have quickly pointed out, you have ran your own second hand bike business. (This is admirable when you're currently doing A Levels alongside your business, provided it's legal.) This more or less points out that you can become self employed without needing a degree or most qualifications, so what is the basis of your question?
An entrepreneur is by definition someone who starts a business. See the following for example:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/entrepreneur.asp
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/entrepreneur
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/entrepreneur
...so, I think the more appropriate question you should be asking is what sort of entrepreneur do you want to be as opposed to which degree is best for for self employment.
If you want to go into specific sectors, then it makes sense to understand what the requirements are for going into the sector prior to starting a business there (this can vary from country to country). For example, if I want to start an architecture firm, it wouldn't make that much sense for me to do a degree in say French and German. On the other hand, if I want to start an IT workshop, I wouldn't exactly need a degree in computer science.
You would also quickly realise that you won't need a degree in business to start a business. The business knowledge is useful, but you won't need it as you would know (especially if it's purely for a small business or on a self employment basis).
If you can be clearer about what you are looking for (and include details of which country if it's outside of the UK), then I might be of a bit more help.
As you have quickly pointed out, you have ran your own second hand bike business. (This is admirable when you're currently doing A Levels alongside your business, provided it's legal.) This more or less points out that you can become self employed without needing a degree or most qualifications, so what is the basis of your question?
An entrepreneur is by definition someone who starts a business. See the following for example:
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/entrepreneur.asp
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/entrepreneur
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/entrepreneur
...so, I think the more appropriate question you should be asking is what sort of entrepreneur do you want to be as opposed to which degree is best for for self employment.
If you want to go into specific sectors, then it makes sense to understand what the requirements are for going into the sector prior to starting a business there (this can vary from country to country). For example, if I want to start an architecture firm, it wouldn't make that much sense for me to do a degree in say French and German. On the other hand, if I want to start an IT workshop, I wouldn't exactly need a degree in computer science.
You would also quickly realise that you won't need a degree in business to start a business. The business knowledge is useful, but you won't need it as you would know (especially if it's purely for a small business or on a self employment basis).
If you can be clearer about what you are looking for (and include details of which country if it's outside of the UK), then I might be of a bit more help.
Thank you for your considered response. Sorry I didn’t intend the question to appear loaded. I live in England
Reply 9
Lambot06
OP
1
Original post by mnot
Im not sure you need a degree for being an entrepreneur, why not take a gap year & just get on with it, see if it takes off. You’ll learn more through doing then reading. Most business degrees do very little for making you a business owner.
If i had to make a recommendation probably something like accounting as being able to understand cash flow, a balance sheet etc. would be useful.
The only degree im aware of renowned for entrepreneurship is the Stanford MBA which acts as a hit of an incubator however I broadly suspect you aren’t going to be ready for that.
If i had to make a recommendation probably something like accounting as being able to understand cash flow, a balance sheet etc. would be useful.
The only degree im aware of renowned for entrepreneurship is the Stanford MBA which acts as a hit of an incubator however I broadly suspect you aren’t going to be ready for that.
Thank you for your reply and appreciate your advice.
My dad has also suggested the accountancy route, certainly something for me to consider
Reply 10
Lambot06
OP
1
Original post by jonathan_Smith
Without question, a Computer Science (CS) degree is the best choice. Here are a few compelling reasons why:
1. Abundant Remote Job Opportunities: Software engineering boasts one of the highest numbers of fully remote jobs. Many senior-level positions offer contract work with hourly pay, providing flexibility and competitive compensation.
2. Thriving AI Industry: The field of Artificial Intelligence is booming, presenting numerous opportunities to create your own software company. The demand for AI solutions is rapidly increasing, making it a promising area for innovation and entrepreneurship.
3. Potential for Entrepreneurship: A CS degree equips you with the skills to develop your own software products. Consider the success of paid software services like Adobe, ChatGPT, Microsoft Office Suite, LeetCode, and various antivirus products. With a solid foundation in computer science, you could create a successful product and generate significant income while being self-employed.
4. Versatile Computer Literacy: A CS degree provides you with versatile skills applicable in various tech fields such as software development, cybersecurity, and game development. Additionally, the knowledge gained will be invaluable in other tasks like video editing or advanced photo editing, including deepfake algorithms.
Whether you choose to pursue a CS degree and gain experience as a software engineer before starting your own company (a common route) or dive straight into entrepreneurship, both approaches are valid. Your choice will depend on your skillset and your tolerance for stress and risk.
1. Abundant Remote Job Opportunities: Software engineering boasts one of the highest numbers of fully remote jobs. Many senior-level positions offer contract work with hourly pay, providing flexibility and competitive compensation.
2. Thriving AI Industry: The field of Artificial Intelligence is booming, presenting numerous opportunities to create your own software company. The demand for AI solutions is rapidly increasing, making it a promising area for innovation and entrepreneurship.
3. Potential for Entrepreneurship: A CS degree equips you with the skills to develop your own software products. Consider the success of paid software services like Adobe, ChatGPT, Microsoft Office Suite, LeetCode, and various antivirus products. With a solid foundation in computer science, you could create a successful product and generate significant income while being self-employed.
4. Versatile Computer Literacy: A CS degree provides you with versatile skills applicable in various tech fields such as software development, cybersecurity, and game development. Additionally, the knowledge gained will be invaluable in other tasks like video editing or advanced photo editing, including deepfake algorithms.
Whether you choose to pursue a CS degree and gain experience as a software engineer before starting your own company (a common route) or dive straight into entrepreneurship, both approaches are valid. Your choice will depend on your skillset and your tolerance for stress and risk.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my dilemma. Whilst I appreciate your advice, computer science is not my thing although I am considering accountancy as a possible career path.
Reply 11
Original post by Lambot06
Thank you for taking the time to answer my dilemma. Whilst I appreciate your advice, computer science is not my thing although I am considering accountancy as a possible career path.
If accounting is your thing, then it makes more sense to go straight into a professional accounting qualification (recommend ACA, CIMA, or ACCA) after your A Level instead of going to university.
Do note, accounting isn't exactly a big earner especially for a self employed person.
Accounting is also not very mathematical. If you do A Level Maths, accounting by comparison would be a bit of a snooze-fest.
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