Is a formal education a shortcut towards the well-paid job? Most people believe that it is, however, neither formal education nor a college degree is a guarantee for success and high earnings.
Some of the richest and most successful people who haven’t gone through college in history prove this theory. Yet, they managed to achieve an enormous success, which is known worldwide. They story about Bill Gates leaving Harvard temporarily and never coming back is familiar to everyone, but he is not the only case.
A former director of American company specialized in computer technology Larry Ellison left even two colleges. Even so, he is one of the richest men in the world, whose wealth is estimated on 52,8 billion of dollars. This amount of money ranks him at number five on the richest man top list.
After making a database for CIA in 1977, with his two friends, he set in motion Software Development Laboratories. Since 1982, they are known as Oracle System Corporation. Although he is not a director of this multinational corporation anymore, Ellison is still its president as well as chief technology officer.
“When I started Oracle, what I wanted to do was to create an environment where I would enjoy working. That was my primary goal. Sure, I wanted to make a living. I certainly never expected to become rich, certainly not this rich. I mean, rich does not even describe this. This is surreal.”, said Ellison once.
Not even a co-founder and a long-term leader of Apple has not made it further from high school. He gave up on college because his parent couldn’t afford to put him trough school.
It has been six years since his death, but the stories about his success and wealth still continue to live. In 2011, when he died, his net wealth was estimated on 11 milliards of dollars. His colleague Steve Wozniak, also an Apple founder is without the degree, and his earnings reach as much as 100 million dollars.
The founder of Virgin brand, Richard Branson, has more than 400 companies in his chain. He quit high school when he was 16, but it didn’t prevent him from becoming a billionaire.
What these through have in common is an enormous effort and persistence which got them that far. That is what makes up for everything they missed for not finishing college.
