Classes Are Ok

 

I found Joshua Hyatt's piece on the teaching of entrepreneurship to be quite different from my own experience.

When Ian MacMillan came to the Graduate School of Business Administration at New York University, his reputation as a teacher preceded him. More than 60 students rushed to get into his class -- but only 24 survived the self-selection process.MacMillan gave a quick lesson in entrepreneurship at the first class: He said that anyone looking for a good grade should leave, anyone more than five minutes late should not come into the classroom, and anyone who missed two classes would flunk. His points were well taken -- such seemingly heartless constraints illustrated the sacrifices and self-discipline that are essential parts of the life of an entrepreneur.Having consented to pay these prices, the goods became more valuable. We did the work not for the grade, but for its own sake. I got three things out of this course: a C+, a preliminary business plan, and enough compelling anecdotes to have the nerve to try. It was the best course I ever took.