Bezos Warns Against Skipping College
Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder, advises aspiring entrepreneurs to avoid following college dropouts.
Speaking at Italian Tech Week, Bezos called Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates “exceptions.”
He stressed finishing a degree and gaining corporate experience before starting a company.
Value of Corporate Experience
Bezos encouraged young people to join “best-practices” companies first.
He argued that working in established firms teaches fundamentals like hiring and interviewing.
This experience, he said, increases the odds of future startup success.
Different Paths of Tech Leaders
In contrast, Gates and Zuckerberg launched companies at 19.
Bezos founded Amazon at age 30 after a decade of work experience post-Princeton.
Bezos completed his studies at Princeton University in 1986 with the highest honors.
Impact on Amazon and Blue Origin
Bezos noted that his extra 10 years of experience improved Amazon’s success probability.
Today, Amazon has a $2.64 trillion market capitalization.
His leadership in Princeton’s Space Exploration chapter helped him build Blue Origin.
Debate on Higher Education
Bezos defends college, stating it positively influenced his career and leadership skills.
However, younger generations question the return on investment due to rising tuition costs.
Ford CEO Jim Farley recently suggested attending college
should be a debate.
Comparison of Tech Leaders’ Paths
| Leader | Age Founded Company | Education Background | Years of Work Before Startup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Zuckerberg | 19 | Dropped out of Harvard | 0 |
| Bill Gates | 19 | Dropped out of Harvard | 0 |
| Jeff Bezos | 30 | Princeton University, summa cum laude | 10 |
