Dear Freshman: Don't take that startup job.

I’ve recently been asked by a couple different incoming college students on the best ways to get involved with the tech scene. They both had short and long term goals combined with a passion for tech startups. If they keep it up they’ll be prime targets for internship and full time positions with Boston area startups soon. But when they asked me about joining a startup now or in the Fall I told them what some people would hate me for saying...

“Don’t do it.”

The goal here isn't to discourage them against startups but rather to make sure they are being as tactful as possible for the long term. Here’s why:

1. College is a huge adjustment. For most people it’s the first time they are away from their family’s homes. They will need to adjust their schedule to school, recreation and thought. Committing to too many thing’s too early may spread yourself thin and tarnish your early career.

2. Start talking to the right people. They shouldn’t be seeking out contacts for internships or jobs immediately. Freshman students should be talking with peers, older students, professors, entrepreneurs and anyone else of interest just to know them. No agenda, no gimmicks. Just to understand what drives them and how they can relate it to their own lives.

3. Learn to say no. If there’s one thing I learned in college it was to learn to say No. These eager students are probably also great talents in whatever field they choose. That means they will have a lot of offers coming to them in the future because great talent is rare. Learning to say no and accessing the scene as objectively as possible will be invaluable to them moving forward.

4. Take the right classes. If you like business, take an engineering course. If you’re an engineer take a business course. You are probably paying an insane amount of money to go to your college- take as much advantage of it as possible! Broaden your skill set and stand out in a stack of resumes.

5. Develop your interests. If you’re an artist, start painting! If you like music, join a band! College is the perfect time to try that thing you’ve always wanted to do. Find what makes you come alive and you’ll be happier and more valuable to any organization.

To all those eager students out there... and anyone else in a similar position. Don’t do it... at least not before you’re ready.

Thoughts on my advice? Want to hire these guys already? Let us know in the comments!