Dropout Gates says: Get degree

The richest college dropout in the world offered high-school students some career advice last week: Get a college degree.

"The really good jobs now require a college education," Bill Gates said Friday during the 15th annual Minority Student Day organized by the Blacks at Microsoft employee group.

Gates also shared some personal history and hinted at Microsoft's plans to compete with Apple Computer's iPod during a speech to students visiting Microsoft's campus. It was also broadcast to schools around the country.

Gates urged students to prepare for careers in technology by studying math and science, even though he acknowledged that the U.S. needs to "revitalize" the way those subjects are taught.

He also told students not to worry too much about competition from India and China because for now, the U.S. still has the best universities and advanced research in the world.

One of the students in Redmond seemed better suited for a career in journalism — he pressed Gates on speculation that Microsoft is developing a device to compete with Apple's iPod. Gates didn't answer directly, but said Microsoft is talking to partner companies to see how they can "come together" to develop better music and video players.

A teacher asked how she can encourage students to attend college, when they point out Gates dropped out of Harvard.

Gates said he actually had nearly enough credits to graduate because he took Advanced Placement classes in high school. When he left to start Microsoft, he made sure he could go back and get his degree if the company didn't pan out.

"I love education, and the more you can get of it the better," he said. "But if you see a chance to start a company that's going to change the world that has to be done that minute, that's the special case that, if your school will take you back, give it a shot."

File that in the do as I say, not as I do, category.

Perhaps Microsoft can cut back on lobbying expenses in Olympia, since it apparently has a strong advocate in the governor's mansion.

During a groundbreaking ceremony at Microsoft's campus last week, Gov. Christine Gregoire said that one the proudest moments in her life came during a trip to Beijing, when she was taking a cab from the airport and saw Microsoft's name on the side of its building.

"I was proud then and I am proud every single day of this wonderful company," she said.

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