Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I just started grad school in Physics a few weeks ago, but I have recently considered quitting since I would rather work on more interesting practical problems. So I am considering quitting the program to start a startup, probably related to software. But I am also considering staying in my phD program (maybe leaving with an MS) and just doing research in an area of Physics that uses lots of programming, such as computational condensed matter or astrophysics, as opposed to string theory.

I have read a few of Paul Graham's essays, and I think starting a startup would suit me well because I am willing to take the risks involved in it and work the long hours as opposed to taking a low-stress, comfortable good-paying job working in a cubicle. The main problems at the moment are that I have poor programming skills and that I have no friends that are interested in programming or in a startup. But I have been considering joining a club on campus with other grad students that are interested in forming a startup

I am thinking I may also enjoy the business aspect of running the startup, even though I'm rather introverted. But I don't know for sure yet, so I will also consider the engineering aspect.

But in the meantime since I'm not in a Physics research group yet, I would have to self-teach myself programming in my free time. To give you an idea of my current skill level, the most recent concept I learned in C++ was Vectors a few months ago. How should I start getting better? Should I try working through O'Reilly's book? Look at someone's existing code and try to improve it? Come up with my own problem to solve?

Also, if I should just work at a startup first, before starting my own startup, what job can I possibly get? My programming skills aren't good enough for what they're looking for. Is this a good chance to get a position where I can get the opportunity to improve my programming skills?

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I don't think at this point you should give up grad school. The benefits and tools that you will learn are something that you will use for the rest of your life. As for starting a startup, you can still pursue the idea on the side. Take into account if your startup fails, where is that gonna leave you. Like this if it does fail you can always fall back on school, and try to look into other options.

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Gary Barzel - Manager of Business Development
FastUpFront - Business Loans and Working Capital
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You sound like a smart cookie, who has a bright future ahead of himself, if you stay in school.

 

Starting a business in this climate of economic distress and uncertainty is as close to a nut-job as you can possibly get these days. Think this trough. You don’t even sound like you’re having a plan of what type of business you want to start. Possibly software?

 

Look, nobody is keeping you from venturing out into the depths, or should I say debts, of entrepreneurship on the side or after getting a formal education. Taking risks may sound sexy, but are you really prepared to gamble your future away on this crazy idea?

 

If you were my kid, I would make sure you get to Grad School every day, even if it meant that I have to hire somebody who will stand guard in front of your classrooms.

 

Look, startups come and go, but a formal education along with an advanced degree will remain an incredibly important aspect of your resume no matter when or where you apply for a job.

 

I hope this helps. Good luck!

 

 

Karl

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Jackson Steiner
http://www.JacksonSteiner.com

Advanced Document Design for entrepreneurs, intermediaries, and the financial services industry.
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As everyone has stated stay and school and get a job/internship on the side.  Or work on a personal project if you like on the side after school (i.e. learning programming).

 

You seem heavily focused on learning programming = successful startup

 

Keep mind that in any startup or any business for that matter programming computers is a very small part of the equation and is easily/cheaply outsourced with very minimal programming knowledge needed.

 

You sound extremely smart so I am sure you will figure it out but do not drop out of school to start your own business especially with absolutely no experience.

Unless of course your rich and the world is your playground :) 

Starting a business with the right people is about networking.  And, while you are in school, you have a great networking resource right at your finger tips.

Today, I wish I would have done better networking while I was in grad school - networking with other people that had similar goals and opportunities.

What you will find is that outside of college - people tend to get busy in their lives and begin to move away from networking - thus, providing you less opportunities to find the people you need to work with.

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Business Money Today
Small Business Loans & Start Up Loans

You talk about "joining a startup" like it's an concrete idea as opposed to an abstract concept.  Do you have any clear picture of what this imaginary company would do?  Do you know any existing start-ups whose team you would like to join?

If you have an idea for a business, or have an existing business in mind, you need to evaluate that idea on its merits.  If you have an idea for a business that you think would be commercially viable, there are many tools on this site (and probably through your school) that can help you flesh out the risks and rewards of that venture.  When you have a clear idea of what you'd be leaving school to do, you'll be in a much better position to make a good decision.

On a more practical note, programming skills are far from the most important part of most start-ups.  Spending all of your free time learning C++ probably won't help you reach your goal as much as trying to get involved in the startup community.  College is perfect for that - I'm sure your school has some sort of business interest social groups you can join.

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Founder - Nineteen Ventures, LLC

Owner - TrailLove - The Best Deals on Outdoor Gear

Starting a business with the right people is about networking.  And, while you are in school, you have a great networking resource right at your finger tips.

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