The Rise Of The Autodidactic Millennial As Today’s Entrepreneur

Few would argue that education in any form is a vital element to the success and growth of every individual. Yet, for some, the traditional learning environments are less advantageous to their makeup and learning style. Educational models that allow students to take ownership in project-based or problem-based learning and engagement often enliven and challenge the educational experience.

For aspiring entrepreneurs with can-do mindsets, many become restless under formal education methods. A wish for self-discovery and passion-based pursuits often drives them to learn and journey into a world of independent self-education. This self-taught phenomenon is known as autodidacticism, which is motivated by self-determination and enthusiasm for learning independently. Successful entrepreneurs such as Henry Ford, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and others fall into this category, and their narratives often influence the younger generations.

Joseph Villanueva, chief strategy officer and cofounder of the Republicist, a high level consulting agency based in New York, is a self-described autodidactic. A college dropout and a lifelong self-learner, Joseph Villanueva has funneled his self-learning into becoming a public relations strategist in fashion, music, and technology.

Part of his learning is highlighted in teaching himself the legal system to successfully defend himself as a whistleblower to the concerning practices applied to clients by a former employer. Through that experience and the application of other self-taught methodologies, Villanueva, just 33 years old, has embraced a strong belief in the power of self-education and the power of conviction.

To gain insight into the younger generation’s mindset and the world of self-learning, this reporter conversed about the life of the autodidactic with Villanueva. A firsthand look into a phenomenon on the rise can garner a snapshot of the minds of younger individuals pursuing entrepreneurial dreams and growing with personal conviction at the helm.

Unrestrained Education

Rod Berger: You have a well-publicized legal win through self-learning that appears to expose the backbone of your pursuits. How did defending yourself as an autodidactic shape your journey?

Joseph Villanueva: I learned how the legal system worked on my own and won one of the most important federal court cases in our sector without a law degree.

My business partner, Aleksandra Beliaeva, and I worked at an innovative talent-scouting network in Eastern Europe. While serving as an executive officer there, I became aware of injustices to some of the talents on their roster. A court case ensued and while I take pride in ultimately being vindicated, it was a taxing experience. It was important to me that I, personally, wasn’t compensated for damages. It would have been a great dishonor to have been paid for being a whistleblower, even in victory.

Now, through the Republicist, I consult top media and technology executives, all with a self-taught education. I do not downplay a university education as being great for many, but my story is proof that there is another route for people who don’t fit into the relatively inflexible structure of our current educational system.

Bertrand Russell said, “Men are born ignorant, not stupid, but they are made stupid by education.” He has a point. For all its benefits, I have found that formal education can make one think they know a lot, with confidence concreted by a top-of-the-class finish. However, beyond what’s taught in school, there’s a world of knowledge to uncover.

Autodidactism, at its core, is the unyielding, lifelong pursuit of self.

Berger: Can you describe your issues with more traditional forms of education and how self-learning has opened your eyes and passions?

Villanueva: I’m in favor of dynamic educational systems like those developed by philosopher Rudolf Steiner, which emphasize connecting a student with “The Self” by aligning the senses with the intellect via eurythmy, meditation, and a system of empowering cultural myths. I feel they are imperative to advancing U.S. education into one scaled effort for a changing world.

There are education systems that exist that aim to develop autodidacts. However, they are largely private and ignored by the current infrastructure. I believe this must change; humans have innate abilities currently being lost to the malaise.”

Passion for Self-Learning

Berger: You appear passionate in your make-up and drive. Can you describe where that comes from?

Villanueva: I have found that self-learning is a great way to discover one’s passion and really focus on it. When you’re self-taught, there are no restrictions, unnecessary guidelines, and rigid curriculums to create borders around your learning. You can learn anything, and that amount of exposure is how you find what you want to learn about and become a master at it.

Self-learning also allows people to build a healthy attitude of questioning established theories and paradigms. History is full of cases where established scientific, cultural, and societal truths and perceptions have been challenged and overturned by new theories as we learn and discover new knowledge.

The change wouldn’t be possible without an unbiased approach to learning, which our institutions often don’t provide. A society’s paradigms are taught inside institutions. Unfortunately, and in my opinion, they [formal education institutions] are more focused on indoctrinating students, not exposing them to any learning that might challenge their cherished paradigms. A liberated mind is always generative.

Self-education allows one to live above society’s enculturation and see beyond the giant stage play of the media and governments to force a narrative. It’s much easier for an autodidact to live above these engineered, emotionally charged attempts at manipulation.

I have found the books Quantum Psychology by Robert Anton Wilson, The End Of The World is Just the Beginning by Peter Zeihan, and Win Your Case by Gerry Spence to be great material for grasping the ideas behind the autodidactic.

Future Reshaping

Berger: How has standing up for your convictions changed your professional path with clients?

Villanueva: An ethical power exercised by our efforts at the Republicist has led to our agency’s success. The talents and brands we work with trust us not to swindle them. Before my time in public relations, I interfaced and lived with many idealists and creatives, autodidacts, and culture jammers. These are people to which the future belongs, unafraid to challenge the societal status quo. To some, they wish to disrupt the current order of things and herald a world where progress, innovation, and creativity are hallmarks of society.

According to Pew research, a central question inside education is if formal and informal learning structures will benefit individuals trying to meet the changing needs of the future workplace. In some respects, AI and other advancements are removing certain human-performed jobs and indirectly asking society to increase knowledge and skills with critical thinking at the core.

The lifelong learner is now emphasized as a framework for a more enriching life and one that holds more job opportunities. Villanueva represents a younger generation searching for answers as they define their career paths and place in the world. To him, self-learning or autodidacticism encourages those who feel the restrictive elements of formal education to break free and embrace self-discovery on their own terms.

There are examples of many in history that have furthered their knowledge and education on their own. Today, there appears to be a growing set inside the younger generations following suit.

Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.