I went through a very similar vigorous self-debate at the end of my sophomore year - "Was all this work going to pay off?" And you have to answer for yourself. But I realized early that this time of life where everyone is young, connected, and most importantly available (ie without kids) was once in a lifetime. My college was its own world focussed on undergraduate teaching, quality friends--that I learned even more from, and a rigorous workload. It was not too high on student entrepreneurship, unlike today. So to be able to start a business AND be in this uber interactive environment would be a dream. You will get the experience that is demanded by companies before leaving.

But if your university is not providing this

innovative, close experience--dollars and sense do make a difference. I took a one semester leave to figure it out. It became my quest to finish the job.

But no, it is not a requirement in the technology field. It is a decision and if you have the chops--and portfolio already--you can go your own way. Good luck. Am following--