Qualifications??? Me... None!

Sure if you are an accountant you will need some qualifications or in a regulated industry. However when it comes to running your own business there are no qualifications needed.

Just because someone is a professor doesn't mean they know everything about the subject matter. Sound crazy right? well it isn't.

I get a number of student either starting their masters or PHD asking me how to do things. Why, because you can learn from the books as much as you like but at some point you need to know how things are done in the real world.

Not that their is anything wrong with getting an education and degree. I am just saying it isn't going to guarantee success in the real world. And to be honest, if two people applied for a job with me in data science or any industry I am in, if one had a degree and the other didn't. I would be paying more attention to the applicant that didn't have the degree and pushing them to see why they believe I should hire them.

There is no degree in passion, there is no substitute for commitment. If someone has the drive to learn and believes their application should stand up to anyone who has a degree in that industry deserves my attention.

I have never been knocked back for a job because of qualifications and don't believe anyone should be. I have friends that have their doctorates or PHD and they will be the first to admit they don't know everything about their chosen industry however some are willing to learn more from the industry they are in while some simply want to move onto something else.

So, qualifications. Not needed to be successful in business, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. And if someone does, tell me the industry they are in and I can guarantee you I can tell you who is more successful than them without qualifications.