Graduates thinking about starting up their own business should be wary of the "myths" that can surround entrepreneurship. According to Lorna Collins business start-up consultancy Flying Start, there are a number of misconceptions that can deter some students from pursuing the dream of becoming their own boss. "One big myth is that there's a proper, set way of starting a business," she told the Independent. "Another is that you need a lot of money or that there's no money available for graduate start-ups." Research conducted in 2007 for the Small Business Administration indicates that attitudes are changing. For many years, graduates were expected to look for work with a Fortune 500 company upon receiving their diploma - but many now see entrepreneurship as a "viable option" for employment. Furthermore, the SBA's research indicates those with post-baccalaureate education are 8.3% more likely to pursue an entrepreneurial career and be self-employed than those with a lower level of educational experience. In 2006, there were 26.8 million small businesses in the United States.  |