So, let me lay out my schedule...
Tuesday, Thursday - 3 Entrepreneurship classes
Monday, Wednesday - Golf
Independent Study (research)
As you can see, I'm pretty Entrepreneurship heavy this semester, which is good, because that is what this blog was originally about!
So, a few notes on Entrepreneurship. Basically, anyone can be an entrepreneur, anywhere, anytime, anyone. Do not let ANYONE ever tell you otherwise. If you truly believe in your idea, you should make it happen...
That is...if it's a GOOD idea. I have heard from 2 professors already that Entrepreneurs do not take huge risks, like most people believe they do. A common misconception is that entrepreneurs are huge risk takers. This is actually false. A good entrepreneur will analyze his idea, and his market enough to know that there is a good chance of success. (The actual success rate for new businesses is 50/50...much better than restaurants, which have a 98% FAILURE rate)
Another common misconception is that an entrepreneur is someone that starts a new business. That is FALSE! Think about it, is a gas station owner an entrepreneur, or a business owner...no, they are not one in the same. Someone who starts a restaurant that does your dry cleaning while you eat is entrepreneurial (maybe not a great idea, but a NEW idea). A good entrepreneurial mind thinks uniquely, and looks at things differently.
If you want more education on entrepreneurship, I have found that the Podcast Entrepreneurship and Business Course with Mark Juliano (adjunct prof. at Carnegie Mellon) is a great basic course for someone wanting to learn to THINK more like a small business owner. This is geared more toward "big" small businesses. Meaning, businesses that are geared to bring in $2-$10 Million in funding to grow rapidly. It's still a great podcast, as he also gears some toward small business owners.
I find there are plenty of great podcasts which provide free learning.
I'll keep updating with more knowledge as I get it from my classes.
Showing posts with label entrepreneurship. Show all posts
Showing posts with label entrepreneurship. Show all posts
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Entrepreneurial Specialization
Well, I've taken the plunge (an obvious one for me) and declared an entrepreneurship specialization to add to my degree. It requires 12 extra credits (I just so happen to have one extra semester that I don't need).
I'll be taken a few classes that are exciting, mostly about analyzing an implementing a plan in the real world. I wanted to take an accounting class for entrepreneurship, but it's not offered all next year, so I'm replacing it with Emerging Enterprise Law, which is a law class about starting a new, smaller venture.
This brings up my point; use the resources you have available to you. There is a wealth of opportunity out there for you, at your respective schools, or at work. There is almost always an opportunity to learn more, and you should use the tools available to you. Figure out where you can learn more; especially in this highly competitive environment, the more you know, the more likely you are to get a job.
Remember, these companies that are still hiring are looking for people who not only have a fair amount of knowledge, but also those people who are enthusiastic when it comes to learning, and those who have the ability to learn. Show companies that you are willing to get out there and learn what is available. A great way to do this is to join an organization. I'm a member of the Supply Chain Management Association (my major), Students Consulting for Non-Profit Organizations (my future career goals), Student Investment Association (great life skills), Broad Scholar Organization (honors program in our Business School), Honors College.
Everybody knows that recruiters like to see students that are involved, but do you know why? They would like to see you take a leadership role, because that is the buzz topic right now in business, "we need new leaders", so they are looking for leaders. However, not every company NEEDS new leaders, sometimes the best leadership tactic is knowing when to follow. Think about it, it is sometimes better for the team when you decide to follow, than when you clash with the "leader".
Involvement also shows passion, interest, and the desire to learn; these organizations are a great way to learn, a great way to network, and a great way to build your resume. Join these organizations as much as possible, and be as involved as you wish to be. I like to go to most events for the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) and Students Consulting for Non-profit Organizations (SCNO), and pretty involved with some of the others. I'm going to an SCMA dinner tonight, to a golf outing with them, where I will be paired with a recruiter. I hope you can see how helpful my membership is to me. I am making myself a very marketable individual, and I also love learning what I do from these organizations.
So while I started by saying "use your resources available", I am going to narrow it down by saying, get involved. I know you hear it all the time, but I hope this gives a little insight as to why you should get involved.
It feels good to be writing again.
I'll be taken a few classes that are exciting, mostly about analyzing an implementing a plan in the real world. I wanted to take an accounting class for entrepreneurship, but it's not offered all next year, so I'm replacing it with Emerging Enterprise Law, which is a law class about starting a new, smaller venture.
This brings up my point; use the resources you have available to you. There is a wealth of opportunity out there for you, at your respective schools, or at work. There is almost always an opportunity to learn more, and you should use the tools available to you. Figure out where you can learn more; especially in this highly competitive environment, the more you know, the more likely you are to get a job.
Remember, these companies that are still hiring are looking for people who not only have a fair amount of knowledge, but also those people who are enthusiastic when it comes to learning, and those who have the ability to learn. Show companies that you are willing to get out there and learn what is available. A great way to do this is to join an organization. I'm a member of the Supply Chain Management Association (my major), Students Consulting for Non-Profit Organizations (my future career goals), Student Investment Association (great life skills), Broad Scholar Organization (honors program in our Business School), Honors College.
Everybody knows that recruiters like to see students that are involved, but do you know why? They would like to see you take a leadership role, because that is the buzz topic right now in business, "we need new leaders", so they are looking for leaders. However, not every company NEEDS new leaders, sometimes the best leadership tactic is knowing when to follow. Think about it, it is sometimes better for the team when you decide to follow, than when you clash with the "leader".
Involvement also shows passion, interest, and the desire to learn; these organizations are a great way to learn, a great way to network, and a great way to build your resume. Join these organizations as much as possible, and be as involved as you wish to be. I like to go to most events for the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) and Students Consulting for Non-profit Organizations (SCNO), and pretty involved with some of the others. I'm going to an SCMA dinner tonight, to a golf outing with them, where I will be paired with a recruiter. I hope you can see how helpful my membership is to me. I am making myself a very marketable individual, and I also love learning what I do from these organizations.
So while I started by saying "use your resources available", I am going to narrow it down by saying, get involved. I know you hear it all the time, but I hope this gives a little insight as to why you should get involved.
It feels good to be writing again.
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