Belmont University

Military Experience and College Education Predict Self-Employment

In a paper by Dr. Chad Mourtray released this week by the SBA Office of Advocacy, the study finds that:

- Prior military experience is the strongest predictor of self-employment, increasing the likelihood by 9.4 to 11 percent.

- Having some college education increases the chances of self-employment by 3.3 percent, a baccalaureate degree by 4.4 percent and graduate experience by 8.3 percent.

Since we find that self-confidence and self-reliance are both important predictors of entrepreneurial aspirations, neither of these findings are that surprising. However, it is interesting to see that military experience was the single strongest predictor of starting a business.


Posted by Jeff Cornwall on December 12, 2007 03:29 PM |

Comments

I have always thought that generally, having the least amount of exposure to the government was the best way to start a business. Perhaps being immersed in ineffciency motivates people to go out on their own.

Birdied by: Josh | December 13, 2007 10:27 AM

Not an unrealistic theory!!

Birdied by: Jeff | December 13, 2007 05:25 PM

Perhaps irascible old soldiers have no choice but to work for the only people who will put up with us...ourselves.

Birdied by: Chris | December 14, 2007 08:22 AM

Tap it in and Comment, Please

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