Every now and then, we hear about false academic credential incidents. As a small business owner with an ordinary undergraduate background, I can understand the mindset of startup founders who inflate their educational backgrounds to gain a more favorable position in the media and attract investments. Although I gave up after a few weeks to focus on my business, I admit that there was a certain sense of inferiority related to academic credentials that influenced my decision to enroll in an overseas MBA program last year. Here are a few thoughts on academic backgrounds based on my experience with enrolling in an MBA program and subsequently dropping out.
1. Moving forward through business with more audacity than seeking safety nets
The output one can gain from academic credential inflation is ultimately different from the level of success that I aspire to achieve. I believe that obtaining an MBA degree would make my resume smoother in the eyes of HR managers during job transitions. However, since I have set my mind on becoming an entrepreneur rather than just an employee, I have decided to channel any fears of uncertainty into my business, leaving no room for even a hint of regret.
2. Embracing my past
No one ever told me to go to Inha University, but the result that I, as a teenager, created for myself was the Department of Business Administration at Inha University. Looking back, I am living much more diligently now in my thirties than I did in my twenties or teens. Simply being able to live a life that is continually improving is something I am truly grateful for. As I continue to progress, I believe I will accept my past as it is and enjoy the process of becoming even better.
3. Acknowledging others’ efforts and achievements
If ECOM-US needs investment and I am unable to secure it due to my educational background, that would be my responsibility to bear. Even I would certainly check the educational backgrounds and histories of the founding team if I were to invest my money in any company. While I don’t consider these two factors as absolute criteria, in most cases, I believe educational background and history serve as good indicators of a person’s fundamental diligence. I am skeptical about blind recruitment, where people are assessed based solely on their resumes and interviews without any knowledge of their alma mater.
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