Mark Zuckerberg is a renowned name in the world of technology. He is the co-founder and CEO of the world’s most popular social media network, Facebook. But before this great success, he went to Harvard University, one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. So, what did Mark Zuckerberg study in college?
Art and Computer Science
Mark’s initial passion was in mastering art and computer science. Although he had other passions, such as fencing and skiing, he found comfort in the world of technology. Growing up surrounded by computers made him realise that he was hooked. That’s why he chose to study computer science and psychology at Harvard.
Mark was fascinated by the possibilities of technology and this led him to set up thefacebook.com. He wanted the website to be an online version of a college yearbook. The first iteration of the website was a hit with other students and it quickly spread to other universities.
Entrepreneurship
Mark was able to leverage the popularity of the website and develop it further. He truly understood the potential impact of the website and its ability to make the world more connected. This eventually led Mark to create a business out of the website and turn it into a multi-billion dollar empire.
At the same time, he demonstrated the importance of taking calculated risks and never giving up. Despite facing numerous technical issues in the early days of the website, he continued to press ahead and was able to make the most out of the opportunities he found.
Communication
Mark is also well-known for his communication skills. During his time at Harvard, he was able to demonstrate his ability to effectively convey his ideas and convince others. This highly valuable skill was useful when raising funds for the website and convincing potential partners to join his cause.
Mark was also an excellent negotiator. He knew that no matter how promising a project seemed, he could always get the best deal. This skill was extremely important when it came to handling relationships with investors and other stakeholders.
Technology and Innovation
During his tenure at Harvard, Mark was able to study the fundamentals of technology and its potential to drive innovation. He learned about the importance of understanding the customer and how to develop a product that would address their needs.
He was also able to learn about the various approaches to innovation, such as design thinking and problem-solving. This enabled him to look at problems from new angles and discover solutions that nobody had considered.
Programming Skills
Apart from his innate understanding of technology, Mark displayed developments in programming skills during his college years. He was able to develop several useful software programs, such as Music Player and CourseMatch, both of which made lives easier for other students.
He was also able to mentor other students in coding and help them learn the basics of software development. This was valuable experience as it enabled Mark to develop his technical abilities and think more strategically about how software could be used to solve real-world problems.
Legal Understanding
Mark was no stranger to the world of law. As an early adopter of technology, he had to be aware of the various regulatory frameworks and their implications for the website. He had to understand the various legal entities that could be used to protect the website against potential litigation.
Mark was also cognizant of the privacy implications of the website. He knew that the privacy of users was fundamental to the success of the website and was willing to take the necessary steps to ensure that the website remained secure and confidential.
Business Knowledge
Apart from studying the technical fundamentals, Mark gained valuable insights on the business side of the website. He studied the basics of accounting, finance, and marketing to understand how to build a successful business.
He quickly realised that the success of the website lay in the user experience. He understood that the website had to be easy to use and provide a seamless experience. He also learnt that investing in the right people and resources was fundamental to the success of the website.
Critical Thinking
Developing critical-thinking skills was another important aspect of Mark’s college journey. He developed the ability to think beyond the obvious and look for creative solutions to complex problems. He learned how to think strategically and come up with innovative ideas that could be leveraged to the benefit of the website.
Mark was also willing to take responsibility for his decisions. He knew that he couldn’t afford to take risks and was prepared to accept the consequences if things didn’t go as planned.
