My moonshot goal in life is to make a positive impact to the world. Since I am a software engineer, I want to do it thru building a great product that will help change lives. The traditional route for me is to keep running in the hamster wheel and expect that someday I will be able to reach a level in which I can make the impact I so desire. I can speed it up moderately by getting an MBA and moving up the ladder. A faster way to reach my goal is to start my own company. However, I feel super nervous to start one. Although, I co-founded an online media organization before, now I fully understand the exorbitantly high risk of failure and just stay risk averse. Two other options come to mind, doing MS or PhD. I have a non-CS engineering MS degree. At times, I feel that the "imposter syndrom" maybe holding me back. However, I quickly realize that neither MS, nor PhD will take me closer to my goal. What do you think is my best bet: just do an MBA and wait for my turn to make the impact, or take the risk of starting a company and at least try to make the impact right now? Why?
MBA adds debt and debt reduces your appetite to take risks. It's the worst decision if you want to build a groundbreaking company that changes the world. Often with companies that want to change the world, the probability of success is low. Therefore, you'll almost never try to build something like that after your MBA. Maybe, if you want to build not such a groundbreaking, trendsetting company, an MBA could help in the long run. I'm an MBA and I tried building a groundbreaking company before my MBA and failed. I can't imagine attempting to build another similar one at this stage after I have just graduated from the MBA program.
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Moonshot? Positive impact on the "world"?
You could join a startup, a small one. Grow with it for a couple of years. Learn the tricks of the trade, build connections and then start your own company. Before doing a startup it is a great idea to work with one from scratch. You will get to know what type of problems one can face and how do you overcome those problems.
As an MBA myself, I think going with the startup is the better option. The mba has much more value if you want to go down a well trodden path. Otherwise I don’t think it’s worth the debt.
What kind of positive impact
I have an autistic son. After we suffered through this I am motivated to make other’s life better. My dream goal would be to make a product for special kids and families. But I thought thru this and I think it’s difficult to make a viable business out of it. I think generally speaking, and without giving away few ideas that I thought about, I am thinking about any product that makes people’s life better.