I agree and think there is more involved than just having the degree itself.

It is what is behind the piece of parchment paper that gives it value...

Attributes you pick up include:

(1) Excellent work habits,

(2) Ability to pay close attention to detail,

(3) Excellent research and analytical skills

(4) Numerous opportunities to shine and perform under pressure,

(5) Excellent team member and team leader skills,

(6) Skills for effective public speaking,

(7) Highly developed level of writing skills,

etc.

So can you get these skills outside of the post-graduate scenario? Yes, sure, but the chances are lessened by who knows how much outside of that setting...

I do think that these days some of those skills are less valued than they once were, but nonetheless, they pay off again and again over the years.

Perhaps it is a combination of the internet (leveling the playing field) and the changing expectation for the workforce that is causing the devaluation of the degrees, but often it is those that have not gone through the rigorous ordeal who are trumpeting this...

It is not for everyone, and certainly one can have success without such a degree, but if you have the desire and the means, it will not hurt you...

Cheers!
Dave : )

I agree. But, I think the things learned in college that make people hugely successful our self-discipline self-discipline, time management, task management, and a personal relationship building, decision-making, etc. etc. if these skills and others necessary for the workplace can be learned elsewhere the actual academic content of college, less very specific skill or knowledge, is often a itrelevant.

I agree with you. But, there's a but...

....most professionals have this thing called "professional pride" they won't mind paying attention to learning about online entrepreneurship until it's late when they're already in sixties and were handled out pink slips.

Sorry Rafael, I respectfully disagree.

If 42% of the people that made Forbes annual ranking of 400 wealthiest Americans had a bachelor's degree, that implies that 58% of them didn't - so why rack up astronomical amounts of debt to achieve a degree that has questionable impact on your ability to succeed?

That debt will be a millstone around the neck of anyone trying to make it on their own because in addition to the costs of their entrepreneurial enterprise, they will need to service the debt repayments too.

Degrees are a necessity if you intend to enter the 9-5 corporate rat-race where everybody is judged by what bits of paper they hold in their hands.

As an entrepreneur, you are judged by your delivery, your relationships and your previous successes.