As the title said, I got a scholarship that covers all my educational and living expenses to a really good school (the University of Chicago). I graduate HS in a week and am thinking about the future, and have every intention of starting a business. The biggest goal is freedom with my time and the ability to lift my community and family away from the poverty we currently face. If you were in my situation, what would your next steps be? Aside from getting my degree, how should I spend the next four years to best set myself up for success, especially since I won't have any large expenses during that time?
I (poor 18 yo) got a full ride scholarship to a top uni. What steps should I take next?
byu/subreddi-thor inEntrepreneur
Posted by subreddi-thor
6 Comments
U of C is a top business school. Focus on your studies and get as many internships as possible. Focus on industries that interest you and that have the biggest potential impact on the communities you want to build. Open to new experiences and careers. Don’t get distracted by booze and sex.
Congratulations to have no debt is huge. Find internships and mentors who you can offer to be an intern for. Offer to work for free (part time like 5 hours a week) if needed to work with your mentors and get the experience you can and ideally some legit projects. Seek credit for those internships ..many schools offer co-ops to get credit for real jobs…and find a quiet hideaway desk job on campus where you can double dip and get paid to do your homework after class. Think the video library or slide room in the far corners of a library or the gym checkin /uni information desk on times no one goes. You will line your pockets while staying focused on your end game. Good luck!
Get your degree, with good grades thoroughly learn the subject matter. That’s objective 1. Network primarily with professors, make a good relationship with them. That’s objective 2. Network with any other students who seem bright and motivated to achieve similar goals, stay away from those who are just checking the box. That’s objective 3. Don’t get anyone pregnant, don’t get married, don’t commit any crimes, or anything else that prevents you from completing your full ride scholarship degree. Last tip, don’t get an entrepreneur degree. They are degrees with bundles of entry/low level business classes. I recommend you get a finance or business degree, or a variation of those. Accounting is a phenomenal business/finance related degree. Guaranteed job market upon graduation and will learn everything needed + some to get a degree. Good luck.
Get connected to the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. It’s UChicago’s entrepreneurship department. They’ll give you better advice and guidance than Reddit.
my next step would be to accept the scholarship
Besides the obvious “have good grades”, I would recommend two things:
1. Keep fit. Your physical health affects any other aspect of your life. It will also boost your self confidence and make you more attractive in the eyes of others.
2. Find out what you want so you can devote to it. It has been scientifically proven that the biggest factor for success is knowing what you want as early as possible.