Showing The Middle Finger to Paper Qualifications

So my friend Derrick Ko pointed me to this post telling of a student who interned at a US-based startup. The student was offered to extend his job role at a pretty hot company (no names mentioned though) for one more year. He wanted in, but the National University of Singapore (NUS) rejected the student’s application as he needed to delay his studies for a year.

From an entrepreneur’s point of view, it kind of sucks because the student isn’t able to do what he wants, which is gain more experience working, building, and learning with the startup. I thought Derrick put it very aptly, noting that there’s always time to finish a degree, but the opportunity to work at one of the hottest startups on the planet is very rare.

But from the University’s point of view, they have numbers they have to meet don’t they? But it’s more than just churning out graduates each year. It’s about revenue too I believe. If more students drop out halfway, revenue for the school would drop too. I graduated from the Singapore Management University (SMU) and have much praise for it. But it could have been better. The four-year business course could have been scaled down to three or even two years. Most of the first year courses I attended were an utter waste of time. And I strongly believe the only reason why all undergraduate programs at SMU were made four-years is because that would bring the school more revenue.

So yes, as a “corporation” the school did the right thing to reduce the dropout rate and thus increase revenue. And they have to do it very professionally, like they are doing it in the interests of the student. But it’s not cool for a student who knows what he wants to do. Why would the school have the final say to the student’s future?

I never believed in just scoring high-grades in school. I did okay, but not fantastic. I always believe in doing and executing things, learning from practical experience. Which is why I chose to say goodbye to good grades and started my first actual business at age 19. The real world is a good school because if you give it your all, it will reward you handsomely — whether you succeed or fail. I learned much more through doing than learning in University. In all fairness, University is a good stepping stone, but different individuals require different learning paths to reach their potential. So the thought of having everyone going through the gruesome four-year course is a pain for some people, especially for folks who have the entrepreneurial mindset.

At the end of the day, you know yourself best. Don’t get succumb to peer pressure or the system. Having graduated for about year now, I can safely say that grades seriously didn’t matter that much. If you’re good at executing and delivering actual results, people will queue up to hire you. So flip your middle finger to paper qualifications and choose a path best for you — not the best path for friends, family, or even your school.

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