Tell me more ×
Answers OnStartups is a question and answer site for entrepreneurs looking to start or run a new business. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 2 down vote favorite

I am a social network co-founder who recently relocated to NYC area. Apart from focusing on the social network start up, I am trying to take some courses at columbia or NYU. The issue is this -

I am not a developer, and we have a development team working on the core deliverables. If I want to take part time courses that can help me in my venture, what direction should I go? I am an MBA but we all know MBA is not really a skill. Is there any recommendation on what type of classes I should take?

I thought I take user design classes, but then thought wouldnt that be for the designer to take? I thought entrepreneur classes but I dont see a need as I have read many books on that. Any suggestions? Is there any class that exposes individuals to VCs may be?

Cheers Rajiv

share|improve this question

1 Answer

up vote 1 down vote

You are probably not to interested to attend to some computer engineering classes, even if you should. Having a start up will be a lot of work and learning by doing anyways. Pick a topic that you only learn at university but might come handy in your job.

What's your position anyways? That might help.

I'd attend to some human computer interaction classes because I thinks its understandable for everyone plus very important if its anything technical.

Besides, it's important to understand your costumer. That's the most important thing of all. You should attend to some psychology classes. You don't need a degree to learn the important facts about customer behavior and so on.

Steve Jobs attended typography classes as a drop in, just as a hint ;)

share|improve this answer
Thanks john. Yes Human interaction classes might help. As far as my position - its a start-up so we dont have any positions defined. my co-founder and I have divided roles - marketing, design review etc. we do all together. Just hoping to get the right classes and improve on our product. Thanks again – Rajiv Singh Sep 24 '12 at 19:40
What's your product all about? Sound like tech so far. HCI is always a good choice as that's what makes your product operable as long as your not producing pet food. Besides that, it's always interesting to take a closer look at psychology. Most entrepreneurial work is managing people and business contacts. Opening new doors and understanding costumers. It's never wrong to learn all the tweaks on how to twist someones mind. – John Sep 25 '12 at 9:44
Our product is a location based social network. We are connecting like minded people in a neighborhood. 14 months into this venture and our energy is drained out. and guess what - we are doing this part time and have $60k invested already! so we are on our last $40k then the rest is on our luck! – Rajiv Singh Sep 25 '12 at 15:13

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.