Jeff Bezos Advises Gen Z Entrepreneurs to Build Career Experience Before Launching New Ventures Starting Amazon at 30
Enhancing Career Prospects: Jeff Bezos’s Insights on Education and Entrepreneurial Success
Bezos Challenges the College Dropout Myth
While tech icons like Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates are celebrated college dropouts, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, suggests they are the exceptions rather than the rule. Speaking at Italian Tech Week, Bezos emphasized the importance of gaining experience before launching a tech venture. He highlighted Zuckerberg and Gates as unique cases in the narrative that successful tech companies often stem from dropouts.
The Value of Work Experience in the Tech Industry
Bezos, who founded Amazon at the age of 30, argues that gaining professional experience increases the likelihood of entrepreneurial success. He advises young people to seek employment with established companies to learn crucial skills such as effective hiring and interviewing techniques. “There’s time to start a company after you have absorbed essential skills in a great company,” Bezos advised.
An Established Career Path: Bezos’s Educational Journey
Contrary to the dropout trend, Bezos completed his education, earning top honors from Princeton University in 1986 with a degree in engineering. His academic achievements included memberships in Phi Beta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi, and leadership roles, like serving as president of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space. This background laid the foundation for his aerospace company, Blue Origin, which Bezos regards as his most vital work.
The Ongoing Debate on the Value of a College Degree
Despite Bezos’s advocacy for formal education, the debate over the necessity of a college degree continues. Rising education costs and a challenging job market have led many to question the return on investment of higher education. Ford CEO Jim Farley recently called college education “a debate,” echoing similar concerns voiced by vocational advocate Mike Rowe regarding skyrocketing costs.
Future of Business Leadership at the Fortune Global Forum
The Fortune Global Forum is set to convene on October 26-27, 2025, in Riyadh. This invitation-only event will bring together top CEOs and global leaders to discuss and shape the future landscape of business.
