Ask HN: The best university degree(s) for a budding entrepreneur/engineer?

[tae]

I'll be finishing high school in a few months and I've been struggling to choose a degree that will best prepare me to start a company in the future, in addition to networking with smart/driven people who I can work with to get there.

I've been following the "start-up" scene on and off for a little under a year, and I seem to have an affinity for "entregineers", people who not only understand advanced scientific/engineering concepts, but also help bring them to the world (Elon Musk, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison).

I'm a high achieving student, so entry for most degrees isn't a problem for me.

I have been leaning towards double degrees which have a Commerce/Law component and some form of engineering (Mechatronics/Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical). I'm unsure as to which one to choose though.

As "Hacker News" is a haven for start-up founders, many with engineering or business degrees (or both), I thought of no better cohort to pose this question to.

What degree (or degrees) would you choose to best prepare one to become an "entregineer"?

[corruption]

I would do electronics, computer science & mathematical statistics, but then get some deep subject knowledge in a soft domain that really interests you (e.g. med, biochem, genetics, pharmacology, neuroscience etc).

There are soooo many problems out there just waiting to be solved by skilled engineers/mathematicians/statisticians, but the sad thing is that most of these people have no subject matter knowledge, and therefore are ignorant of the opportunities. Likewise the subject matter experts without the statistical/engineering background are unable to grasp what could be done, so never even contemplate the questions. Even "top" researchers in some of my fields are completely unaware of the possibilities. They are ignorant and unaware of it, and sadly even collaborations do not seem to help.

There's gold in the intersections of disciplines.

Edit: But, this is only one approach, and assumes that you want to break new scientific ground as well as make money.

[tae → corruption]

I totally agree with your statement that "There's gold in the intersections of disciplines.", and I've put it down on my list of things to become (a polymath).

I've quite seriously looked at the medical sector as one that lacks technological innovation, and both this answer, in addition to makerman's answer seem to validate that opinion.

Look where things lack innovation seems to be the best way to go.

[mitrocc]

MIT- arguably best engineering curricula, more focus on applicability/hands-on ability than Stanford (supposedly- I have not attended both), and Boston area is prime for start-ups.

Also they have a very strong culture of entrepreneurship with the 100K, E-club, venture mentoring, etc.

As for specific degree combination- as previously commented- it doesn't matter that much imo.

[sajithw]

At the end of the day degrees are just pieces of paper. Don't fall into the trap of going into college thinking you are going to double major in X, Y and get a minor in Z. It isn't high school anymore, so take classes you are interested in or you think will add some value to your life and adapt to the structure of a degree program over time. College admissions committees reward the biggest tools (I would know) but now that you've made it, don't waste absurd amounts of time with course work/resume filler bullshit and focus on passion projects, building relationships, etc. -- more important stuff.

Also, organic startups have a much better chance of succeeding so building a rich knowledge base in a subject that interests you is your best path to success rather than picking the degree path that may be most relevant to entrepreneurship. That being said, it may be helpful to ask people what their undergraduate education experience was like (classes/books that really influenced them, projects they worked on, etc.) and pick up a few ideas regarding where to begin?

[samratjp]

Don't worry about the specific degree so much - you will realize someday that there are more important things like how talking to people and actually share their viewpoint can help you figure out what people want. Translation: get a feel for the school by visiting the campus. It's great you are a good student, but there's much more to entrepreneurship than sheer smarts - it helps if you go to a school where you can meet a lot of non-engineer/management type folks. In the real world, these are the people who will most likely be using the product and it helps to hear what they have to say.

That said, just pick a degree you like and take loads of math classes (if you don't, at least take stats), some C.S classes (take ones with C, scheme). Actually, read Cal Newport's blog - http://calnewport.com/blog/2009/11/20/a-study-hacks-primer/

[makeramen]

If you're looking for breadth and entrepreneurship, I recommend University of Wisconsin - Madison's Biomedical Engineering (BME) program (or similar). I'll be graduating from the program in December. It is also relatively prestigious as it's the only engineering major on campus with a formal application process, and engineering majors on campus are already the hardest.

It doesn't prepare you for industry well (because of it's broad focus) but it really allows you to explore many different engineering fields, perfect for entrepreneurship imho. Although there might be curriculum reform in the future to fix the "unpreparedness" for industry, but change comes slow in Universities.

The program requires you to take introductory classes in biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, biomaterials... and probably a couple more I'm forgetting. In the end, you choose one of these "tracks" and your degree basically turns into one of the other engineering degrees with some bio tacked on, less depth, and more breadth.

One of the other great things about the BME program is that we're required to do a design project EVERY semester, which is a really great opportunity and a pain in the ass (you only get 1 credit for it). But it's a great learning experience working in small teams all the time.

The problem with poor reception among the industry for BMEs is that if they want objects built, they'll hire MEs, if they want circuits, the'll hire EEs, etc. There really isn't any good entry level position fitting for a "well rounded" degree like UW's BME. But again, if you're looking for entrepreneurship, you probably don't care for these entry level positions anyway, but just fair warning.

Conclusion: Look into the details of each program at the schools you're looking into. My example is unique to my major at my school, I know BME programs at other schools are very different, and the other engineering programs here at UW are different from BME. Ask current students students and recent grads about the specific programs you're looking into.

[LeBlanc]

Focus more on the resources at your school than on the degree. You want to attend a school that has good entrepreneurial resources, such as student start-up incubators, business plan competitions, mentoring, etc. Regardless of what degree you have, these are resources that you can use to learn about entrepreneurship and build a company while still in school.

Stanford, Duke, and University of Texas (Austin) are schools I know of with good entrepreneurship resources. Since you're about to graduate in a few months, you may have already picked your school. In that case just make sure to seek out whatever entrepreneurship resources are at your school.

If your school doesn't have any entrepreneurship resources, go make some! Start a business plan competition, or a business incubator.

Good luck!

[tae → LeBlanc]

I have been seriously considering Stanford, as it seems to be right at the centre of the technology entrepreneur's Mecca of Silicon Valley.

I have yet to find people like myself in my area and I've heard that SA is choc full of ambitious/intelligent/successful people who are ready to start new ventures, in addition to all the VCs being located there.

[jaspertheghost]

Who you are is a more accurate predictor of entrepreneurship and success. That being said the two schools that have the best track records are Stanford and UIUC. Stanford (Google, Yahoo, Sun Microsystems) and UIUC (Netscape, Paypal, YouTube, Oracle, Yelp, Farmville)

http://www.quora.com/What-startups-have-come-out-of-Stanford... http://www.quora.com/What-startups-have-come-out-of-Universi...

[tae → jaspertheghost]

"Who you are is a more accurate predictor of entrepreneurship and success." is a wonderfully succinct way to put it, and I hope to become more and more like those who have succeeded in the future (e.g. solid work ethic/reading about a variety of subject/talking to more people).

I guess I'll just have to improve myself, and chase the smart people, who seem to swarm to these universities.

[makeramen]

Regardless of where you end up, I highly recommend trying to start or run a student organization.

Learning to motivate unpaid volunteers to do work for you is one of the most valuable leadership experiences I've ever had.

[pramit]

Read The Success Manual - Summaries of 100+ greatest Business and self help books of all time http://thesuccessmanual.bighow.com

[helveticaman]

I went to Stanford thinking it would be the best decision. It turned out to be a terrible decision, and set me back years. The best-laid plans...

[tae → helveticaman]

Why was it a terrible decision?