Depending on your industry and (sometimes) on your college, you're more likely to get in touch with those more influential and powerful than you (for science it might be renowned researchers, for law high-up law offices, etc). Since your friends went through the same college experience, the same goes for them. Therefore you're all in a good position to help each other.
I personally want to go into biology-related research. College is pretty much vital for this since I have access to professors who can go beyond what's in the textbook as well as have numerous opportunities to work in actual labs.
Now, if I were to start a software startup I admit that college is not necessarily the best option. Teaching yourself is easier and more likely to give you a good-enough foundation and if you're in the right place it'll be easier to hang out with the right crowd. However, for people who otherwise live in places far-removed from tech hotspots, college can give them a chance to move somewhere with a better chance of being noticed.
Also, besides startup-related events, what other non-college ways are there to have access to lots of networking opportunities?
Depending on your industry and (sometimes) on your college, you're more likely to get in touch with those more influential and powerful than you (for science it might be renowned researchers, for law high-up law offices, etc). Since your friends went through the same college experience, the same goes for them. Therefore you're all in a good position to help each other.
I personally want to go into biology-related research. College is pretty much vital for this since I have access to professors who can go beyond what's in the textbook as well as have numerous opportunities to work in actual labs.
Now, if I were to start a software startup I admit that college is not necessarily the best option. Teaching yourself is easier and more likely to give you a good-enough foundation and if you're in the right place it'll be easier to hang out with the right crowd. However, for people who otherwise live in places far-removed from tech hotspots, college can give them a chance to move somewhere with a better chance of being noticed.
Also, besides startup-related events, what other non-college ways are there to have access to lots of networking opportunities?