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It also struck me as rather smug and arrogant: "You can't quit your job, but I have a PhD from MIT, so I can." Geez buddy.


Absolutely. The part where he says he doesn't feel nervous about doing a startup because he has a PhD from MIT. I almost threw up.

I don't know any start-up founder that cites his degree as a key motivation for doing a start-up.

All this is really sad because I think someone can write a solid post about the possible downsides of quitting your boring job and what precautions to take. This guy is trying to do that - but in all the wrong ways.


I don't know any start-up founder that cites his degree as a key motivation for doing a start-up.

Nowhere does the post suggest that a PhD is motivation for doing a startup. The point is that if you have a valuable skill (whether a PhD or experience as a successful VP), if you take a risk, you'll still have a comfortable position to fall back on.


PhD -> not nervous -> do startup

I'd say that qualifies as motivation.


I know a couple of PHD's from top UK universities who are currently struggling to find a job (in big sectors too; nothing niche).


I've interviewed a lot of people and I have to say having a PhD has never influenced me. I just really don't care. Can you code, are you smart, and can you work well with people? Those are much more important than how much schooling you've had.




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