[ygolo]

Basic Background

Hi, I'm 28 y.o. and half a quarter away from finishing an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from a reputable university in California. I have also been working full time for a Fortune 500 semiconductor company for the past 7-8 years.

Why I Joined This Forum

I am thinking about entrepreneurship.

I would like to get to know a community of creative and innovative people, with the practical skills to make their own dreams come true. I am hoping this forum is such a community, and hope to learn practical innovation and entrepreneurship in the coming years.

My Goals and Aspirations

I have wanted to be an inventor (of the technological type) for a long time (probably since I was 8 years old).

The advice given to me was to:
(1) focus on learning about a particular type of technology for a while,
(2) figure out how to make good profitable businesses based on products that utilize that technological skill set, and finally
(3) come up with inventions that fit those business models well.

I am transitioning from (1) to (2) at the moment.

My work background is in Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) for the purposes of creating Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). However, I also have extensive schooling in Software Engineering, Mathematics, Electronic Circuit Design, and Computer Architecture/Compiler Design, along with some classes in Semiconductor Devices and Fabrication.

I would like to leverage those skills and interests to give myself a role of "inventor." By this, I mean, conception and elaboration of ideas for new products (likely in the area of expertise given above).

My Strengths

(1) My aspirations are to benefit the human race in some pervasive manner.
(2) I am very persistent.
(3) I have decent written communication skills.
(4) I have good technical problem solving skills.
(5) I am well educated and open-minded.
(6) I aim to be open, honest, and direct.

My Current Blind Spots/Areas of Improvement

(1) I often feel rather shy and introverted.
(2) I have been told my voice, body language, etc. portrays a lack of confidence.
(3) My emotional intelligence has room for improvement.
(4) I have no managerial or sales experience.
(5) I can be rather disorganized at times.

Do You Have Any Early Advice?

Despite the long post, any input, even a simple "hello" is appreciated.

(1) What ought to be my nest steps to becoming an entrepreneur?
(2) How do I meet people I can trust to cover/compensate for my blind spots?
(3) How do I go about fashioning an "inventor" role for myself?

[Crysco]

Welcome to YE!

The best way to learn is by doing. To be more like a business owner, you should be around and talk to business owners.

I think a lot of us are introverts to begin with but you need to train yourself to be an extrovert when necessary.

[ygolo]

Thanks Crysco.

I joined this forum, as a first step.

I was wondering where to meet business owners in real life.

The local chamber of commerce?

Various business seminars that come to town?

Also, how does one schmooze/network, without seeming like you are after anything other than getting to know some business owners?

[Upperz]

That is great introduction.
I have the feeling your area's of improvements are not a problem. Especially as you allready recognize them. That usually is the difficult part.
I want to welcome you here, and I am sure joining networks like these are also a good step on the way to entrepreneurship.

[meaghannf]

Wow, welcome and it sounds like you have so much going for you and the background to be a really skilled inventor. I can't wait to hear more about your projects in the future!

[malumu200]

Stay us tuned to wats going on. Welcome to YE

[SiteFlipAcademy]

Welcome to YE! It's great to hear about you. I like your determination to become a inventor, keep it up and I hope you'll be successful. There are lots of resources here on YE for you to learn and consult with. And I'm looking forward to hear about your progress.

[jasaunders]

Your profile sounds lik a typical engineer. Just need to build the other half.

It's going to take some work to get out of your shell. Being introverted is hard to change, but being extroverted is one of the most important traits to be a successful entrepreneur.
Branch out - join industry associations, networking groups, entrepreneurial groups, attend conferences, presentations, seminars, meet like-minded people. If you want to work on public speaking, consider joining Toastmasters International. The more you are in front of people, the more connectiosn you will make and the more comfortable you will become.

[ygolo]

Where is a good place to learn to become more extroverted?

Toastmasters?

Just meeting lots of people in conventions and talking to them?

[GuyBBY]

Welcome to YE ygolo- You definetly have the drive and the passion. Use this site and its members to learn, grow, help, and progress in your business aspirations. Pick one thing a day to address and continually build on that. Pretty soon the pieces will fall into place with hard work and modesty to take good critisicm and you will be on your way!

Guy

[Mega B]

Welcome to the Forum,after reading your opening post the 1st person that sprang to mind was a guy from the UK called James Dyson he invented the Dyson Bagless Cleaner and it took him 1000s of attempts at designing the perfect system but he hung on in and he went on to be a Billionaire and he is always trying to perfect his invention and also has produced many other items not related to Cleaners.James Dyson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The rest is History so they say.