19-12-2007
Experience more important than education
News by Adfero for Simply Business - independent providers of business insurance, business finance, landlord insurance, buy-to-let mortgages & commercial mortgages.
Confidence is seen as more important than education when starting a business, according to the Association of Graduate Careers Services (AGCAS).
President of AGCAS Graham Nicholson highlighted the importance of gaining a degree, but indicated that the maturity and life experience gained at university is just as vital.
Mr Nicholson also suggested business finance can be a major stumbling block, as graduates need banks to be confident that they can succeed, as well as having "the necessary business and life experience to build on".
Recent developments have opened up a greater amount of support for students wanting to start their own business, with universities offering advice on ideas generation and competitions for young entrepreneurs.
"This is something that has developed in the higher education community in the last ten years," Mr Nicholson explained, while emphasising that experience is still an important factor.
Research from Barclays in July 2007 showed that less than half of small business bosses have a degree and only 11 per cent believe that a good education is crucial to surviving in business.