One form of social classification that plays a key role in the business world is the concept of age. Weather it is spoken of or not, a person’s age in large part determines people’s opinions and expectations. As a result, discrimination occurs for the young and old alike. In terms of entrepreneurism, youth is sometimes seen as a negative factor. Essentially, it boils down to the notion that “you’re too young to know what you’re talking about.” While age may be a good indicator of life experience, it should in no way determine your ability to succeed. But alas, young entrepreneurs are often looked upon with a certain level of skepticism.
The next time someone says you are too young (or too anything) to know what you are talking about, just remind them of Amelia Fraser-McKelvie. This amazing 22 year old undergraduate student was able to solve a physics problem that had stumped the best scientists in the world for decades. Physicists knew there was matter present during the early universe, but for nearly a century they had been unable to locate it. But all it took was one inquisitive undergrad to crack the age old problem – on her summer break no less. The aerospace engineering and science student determined with a targeted X-Ray search that this “missing matter” was actually located within incomprehensibly vast structures known as “filaments of galaxies.”
While the fields of physics and business may seem worlds apart, I think the lessons that can be learned from this have applications in all areas of society, and show that social labels determine mere opinion and expectation, rather than dictate actual success. The impact you have on the world is truly up to you.
