John Maddox
When you start a business, there is a lot to learn, and much of this has to be done as you go. However, you can certainly prepare yourself more effectively by learning as much as you can about business-related topics before you actually launch a venture. Read on for some of the most helpful degrees to consider studying if you want to be an entrepreneur.
Computer Science
Read any business magazine or newspaper article these days and you’ll see entrepreneur after entrepreneur who has made their fortune by developing an app or other software program which has been used and purchased by millions of people. In this digital age, knowing how to come up with tech-related products or services can be one of the best ways to become a successful business owner. As such, a degree in computer science can take you a long way.
Studying this area is useful in ways that goes beyond an actual product or service you create to sell too. Big data is extremely helpful in all industries, in many ways. For example, it can be utilized to cut costs, increase productivity, market and sell to consumers, improve customer service, streamline processes, and a whole lot more.
Having a background in computer science can help you to use and/or develop programs which automate tasks or reduce the amount of time required to complete them. It is also of benefit when you need to create a website for your business or use other tools to market it; plus knowledge in this area can help you understand and tap into emerging fields before your competitors.
You might wonder: how hard is a computer science degree? and, will the investment of time and money be worth it? However, just take a look at all the industries and businesses being disrupted by tech tools these days and you’ll soon see the commitment will be of great benefit on your entrepreneurial journey.
Business
Another degree that’s top of mind for budding entrepreneurs is, of course, a business one. Programs such as MBAs and Bachelors of Business courses are the perfect options when you want to give yourself a thorough, overall understanding of how organizations work, not just locally, but all around the world.
When you complete a business degree, you will learn about topics such as sales, marketing, accounting, finance, economics, leadership, psychology, organizational management, administration, communication, international markets, and so on. You will have lots of different areas to choose from when deciding on subjects, and get the chance to enjoy practical placements and internships for on-the-job experience too.
Another benefit of business degrees, particularly MBAs, is that you get the chance to meet like-minded people from around the globe. You will connect with people who could go on to become not just your friends but also your sounding board, client, partner, investor, or employee as the years go by. As well, because business degrees tend to be made up of such diverse groups from many different nations, backgrounds, and cultures, you’ll have the chance to learn from and exchange ideas with people you might never have otherwise met.
Psychology
In business, to achieve success you’ll regularly need to think about how other people view the world, and the wants and needs they have. This ranges from customers and employees, through to journalists, investors, lenders, suppliers, and more. As a result, if you learn about psychology, this can help you to run your business more profitably and effectively.
Through studying a psychology degree, you will become versed in theories on how the human brain works; how different personalities learn, interact, clash, and otherwise vary from each other; and how needs and wants can be determined by the actions, body language, words, and tones of people.
When you complete psychology courses, you’ll obtain knowledge which helps you to design products and services to best suit particular market segments, and you’ll better understand how to target the right potential clients, and how to cater to their desires well. You’ll be more effective at inspiring, motivating, engaging and leading a team, and at communicating with all sorts of people in all sorts of situations.
Psychology skills will guide you when it comes time to brand your business and to market your wares as well. Providing customer service that really satiates clients will also be easier, as will your ability to hire the right people and otherwise surround yourself with the best team possible.
