Ask HN: Entrepreneurial Advice for Students? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Entrepreneurial Advice for Students?

8 pointstechaddict00915 comments

Hi,

I have just completed my bachelors in Computer Engineering from mediocre college in India. Planning to pursue masters in Computer Science from Abroad (probably US/Canada/Germany). I am confused whether to study ahead or start working in some Startup gain experience and start my own Startup? Currently I do not have any hardcore idea for Startup but for sure wish to either work at some good Startup or start my own Startup in life.

Reading HN really excites me to shift to San Francisco because I see cool and exciting things are happening there. And only way to reach SF is via F1 visa which I can get only if I get admission in SF based colleges.

So please someone guide me what should I do?

Note : I have pursued remote internship at Intuit India as junior application developer and during internship i have develop various SMS applications for txtweb.com based on PHP. So you can say i do have little bit of coding skills.

P.S I wish to be Successful Entrepreneur at least before I die.

Thanks in Advance. Sorry for my bad English.

Let me give you some realistic advice.

1. Figure out if you actually want to work/start a startup. You can do that anywhere in the world.

2. San Francisco as described in Hacker News is a biased glamorous view. The city is not paved with gold.

3. Getting a Masters degree in a good school is a whole different ball game from starting a startup especially if you are an immigrant. The F1 visa is a student visa which means that you have to study.

Thanks for clearing about SF.

Yes i know F1 visa is study visa. But after studying in US its easy to get job and H1 there.

Is there any other way via which i can shift to SF directly ?

> Yes i know F1 visa is study visa. But after studying in US its easy to get job and H1 there.

Again, you are not being clear here. Let me ask you a few questions (which are more really a thought exercise for yourself). Why do you think working as possibly a software engineer in a startup is different in San Francisco than in country X? What do you expect to get out of working as opposed to founding one? How do you think the latter is going to work out as a person on a visa?

> Is there any other way via which i can shift to SF directly ?

Are you a permanent resident or can you become a permanent resident really fast? In which case, yeah walk in, set up shop and try your luck.

1) Seeing HN I feel like SF is the best place for Technocrats to flourish. You get to attend best in the class events. All world famous startup office can be found here, etc.

2) I am permanent resident of India. I do not mind in permanently shifting to SF.

The asking of the question is your answer. Full-time startups demand every ounce of you. They are for entrepreneurial people with a high tolerance for risk and a vision of something they want to bring out into the world. Startups aren't for the timid or confused.

If you have any doubts at all (which you do), stay in school.

I respect your view. But i am just confused about whether i should study ahead gain good knowledge and then jump into world of startup or start the startup directly.

I will not remain in confusion for life time. I just need proper guidance from the experienced Startupreneurs.

I don't know your exact life situation, but in most cases, people get into startups for three reasons 1) they have a burning desire to be their own boss and control their own destiny 2) they see an opportunity in the marketplace and/or have a product idea they want to bring out into the world 3) need money to survive (pay rent, food etc) and a startup could provide a quick income source.

If at this stage in life you are in constant need of direction and instruction, don't have a business idea, and you are getting financial support to further your education - stay where you are for the time being and ride out the confusion.

BTW, I am an experienced serial entrepreneur and probably twice your age.

Thanks for the guidance. Hope i to shine out in life like you at your age.

You are very kind. If you need an outside opinion, don't hesitate to ask. You'll find my contact information on my website: http://jasoncomely.com

Sure. Will follow up. Thanks again.

I discovered "Kids, don't believe the startup hype" on HN a few months ago...Read it!

http://www.geekwire.com/2013/kids-startup-hype/

Do what you love http://www.paulgraham.com/love.html

Think twice about collage degree. Your view may be biased because of the environment.

I'm too looking for a guide for Starting in San Francisco, what are the possible ways, Indian Student's can go there and start on there own? How much money do we need beforehand to survive there?

Do what your hearts says. Rest of the pecies will automatically fall in place.

Best of luck for your future endeouvers.

Thanks a lot. But the problem is at the time of confusion even heart fails to say something. Let me still try out in peace.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com