'Finishing School' Prepares Grads for the Startup Scene


It used to be that a college degree prepared you for the working world. But that’s not exactly true, and it’s no less true than in the world of startups. The New York Times has a story this morning about what they term a “finishing school” for college grads looking to join entrepreneurial ventures where brainpower is more likely to be routed toward product development than H.R. protocol.

During the six-week program at Boston Startup School, according to the article, students learn how to find what needs to be done, then do it. The first class of graduates attended tuition free, thanks to underwriting from a few local tech shops that then get first crack at new hires. So far, about half the graduates have been hired.

While this is certainly a step forward for startups (who can reduce their exposure to dud applicants) and students (who get an audience with some of the top local companies), it also feels like a dig at traditional college educations. Students may be able to learn some technical skills and a good dose of critical thinking there, but when they finish, they’ve paid $100,000 for an education that is still insufficient.