The Rise of Self-Taught Millennials as Entrepreneurs Today

Few would argue that education in all its forms is an essential ingredient for the success and growth of every individual. However, for some people, the traditional learning environment is not very favorable to their organization and learning style. Educational models that allow students to take responsibility for project- or problem-based learning and engagement often enliven and challenge the educational experience.

Many motivated aspiring entrepreneurs become restless under formal teaching methods. Their desire for self-discovery and passion-based pursuits often drives them to learn and travel the world of independent self-education. This phenomenon of self-study is known as self-study and is motivated by a desire for self-determination and independent learning. Successful entrepreneurs such as Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates fall into this category, and their stories often influence younger generations.

Chief Strategy Officer and co-founder of Republicalist, a high-level consulting firm based in New York, Joseph Villanueva is a self-professed self-taught. A college dropout and lifelong self-learner, Joseph Villanueva has channeled his self-study into becoming a PR strategist for fashion, music and technology.

Part of his learning is highlighted by teaching himself the legal system to successfully defend as a whistleblower against relevant practices applied to clients by former employers. Through the application of self-taught methodology, Villanueva, who is only 33 years old, is a strong believer in the power of self-study and the power of belief.

For an insight into the world of young mindset and self-learning, this reporter spoke with Villanueva about the self-taught life. As she looks firsthand at the rising phenomenon, she is able to capture a snapshot of the minds of young people growing as they pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and steer with personal convictions. increase.

free education

Rod Berger: You have won a widely publicized legal victory through self-study that seems to reveal the backbone of your pursuit. How did self-study and self-protection shape your journey?

Joseph Villanueva: He single-handedly learned how the legal system works and won one of the most important federal court cases in the field without having a law degree.

Together with my business partner Alexandra Beriaeva, I worked in an innovative talent search network in Eastern Europe. While serving as an executive officer there, I noticed fraud in some of the talent on their roster. The trial continued and I am proud that it was finally established, but it was a daunting experience. Even if he won, it would have been a great disgrace to be paid as a whistleblower.

Right now, I’m consulting top self-taught media and tech executives through Republican. I’m not disrespecting that a college education is great for many people, but my story is that there are alternative routes for those who don’t fit into the relatively inflexible structure of the current education system. It proves that there is

Bertrand Russell said, “Men are born ignorant and not stupid, but education makes them stupid.” He has a point. For all its advantages, I have found that formal education can make you think you know a lot, with the confidence embodied by top-of-the-class results. But there is a world of knowledge to discover beyond what is taught in school.

At its core, self-education is an unwavering, lifelong pursuit of self.

Burger: Can you describe the problems of more traditional forms of education and how self-study has opened your eyes and your passions?

Villanueva: I am for a dynamic educational system like the one developed by the philosopher Rudolf Steiner. This emphasizes connecting students with their ‘self’ by harmonizing their senses with their intellect through eurythmy, meditation, and a system that empowers cultural myths. For a changing world, he feels these efforts are essential to developing America’s education into one large-scale effort.

There is an education system that aims at self-study. However, they are mostly private and neglected by the current infrastructure. I believe this must change. Human beings have innate abilities that are currently being lost due to their malfunction. ”

Passion for self-learning

Burger: You look passionate about makeup and drive. Can you explain where it came from?

Villanueva: I have found self-study to be a great way to discover and focus on my passion. there is no. Anything can be learned and the amount of exposure is how you find what you want to learn and become a master.

Self-study also enables people to build healthy attitudes that challenge established theories and paradigms. It is full of cases where new theories have challenged and overturned knowledge as we learn and discover it.

This change would not be possible without the unbiased approach to learning that our institutions do not offer. Social paradigms are taught in institutions.Unfortunately, in my opinion, they [formal education institutions] We focus on instilling students without exposing them to learning that may challenge important paradigms. A liberated mind is always generative.

Self-education allows a person to live beyond the enculturation of society and force narratives beyond the mega stage plays of media and government. It is much easier to live beyond the attempts of

i found a book quantum psychology by Robert Anton Wilson, the end of the world is just the beginning By Peter Zeihan, and win your case Created by Gerry Spence as an excellent resource for grasping the ideas behind self-study.

reshaping the future

Burger: How has standing up to your beliefs changed your professional trajectory with clients?

Villanueva: The ethical force exercised by our efforts at Republicalist has led to the success of our agency. I believe. Before working in public relations, I interacted with and lived with many idealists, creators, self-taught and culture jammers. These are the people to whom the future belongs, who are not afraid to challenge the status quo of society. For some, they hope to disrupt the current order and herald a world in which progress, innovation, and creativity are hallmarks of society.

According to Pew’s research, a central question in education is whether formal and informal learning structures will benefit individuals seeking to meet the changing needs of the future workplace. In some ways, AI and other advances are indirectly asking society to remove certain human jobs and improve its knowledge and skills around critical thinking.

Lifelong learners are emphasized as a framework for enriching lives and retaining more employment opportunities. Villanueva represents a younger generation looking for answers when it comes to defining career paths and standing in the world. For him, self-study or self-study encourages those who feel the restrictive elements of formal education to break free and embrace self-discovery on their own terms.

There are many examples in history of advancing knowledge and education on their own. Today, there seems to be a growing set among the younger generation that follows.

Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.