entrepreneurship @ college

[timpra]

Hi everyone, I'm currently a freshman in engineering at a well known public university and I had some questions about entrepreneurship at college:

1. How do I structure my four years so that college benefits my entrepreneurial ambitions rather than have it consume my time, sweat and money? Essentially, what activities are advantageous, neutral, or detrimental to my cause of starting a business, getting a good GPA, and developing a good social life?

2. Should I still construct a resume even though I intend to not get a job after graduation?

3. Should I still consider applying for internships though I plan on not working in office environments in the future?

4. Understandably, many courses taught at college are targeted at people who will eventually join the workforce. I predict that engineering courses will inevitably follow suit. So, at what angle should I view these classes and how do I benefit from them?

I sincerely apologize in advance if a thread already exists that covers this topic, but please be kind enough boot me to that particular thread.

Thanks!

[ronniespringer]

My replies are based on fictional characters and any resemblance to a living human being is unintentional and accidental. TRANSLATION: If your parents try to sue me for reimbursement of your college tuition - I at least gave you a disclaimer!

1.) Being a social butterfly and making tons of friends (i.e. future contacts) is much more important than taking some class that claims to teach you entrepreneurship. Being able to build a mentor network requires social skills and engaging customers or investors requires charisma.

2.) You absolutely should construct a resume because the fact that you ask such a question demonstrates your separation from you personal image of yourself in your head versus the way the world views you. You need to make an honest resume and review it yourself to bring those in line with each other.

3.) You should absolutely get an internship or a J-O-B working for a business similar to the one you want to own. College teaches you NOTHING about real life. If you want to be successful you will not try to reinvent the wheel, but figure out how it could roll a little smoother.

4.) You benefit from college by demonstrating that you have the capacity to complete a project once your start it (even if you aren’t all that interested in it). You may even convince your family and friends to invest in your new startup upon graduation. If they see you as a flake that doesn’t finish what you start - that's not happening.

If I were you, I would enjoy your time at school and do what is necessary to be successful. Once you graduate and start your own organization, you will have plenty of time to deal with the stresses of the world and business ownership. For now it is perfectly acceptable for you to be broke and happy – ENJOY!!!!

Startup Help

[Gaulkin]

My replies are based on fictional characters and any resemblance to a living human being is unintentional and accidental. TRANSLATION: If your parents try to sue me for reimbursement of your college tuition - I at least gave you a disclaimer!

1.) Being a social butterfly and making tons of friends (i.e. future contacts) is much more important than taking some class that claims to teach you entrepreneurship. Being able to build a mentor network requires social skills and engaging customers or investors requires charisma.

2.) You absolutely should construct a resume because the fact that you ask such a question demonstrates your separation from you personal image of yourself in your head versus the way the world views you. You need to make an honest resume and review it yourself to bring those in line with each other.

3.) You should absolutely get an internship or a J-O-B working for a business similar to the one you want to own. College teaches you NOTHING about real life. If you want to be successful you will not try to reinvent the wheel, but figure out how it could roll a little smoother.

4.) You benefit from college by demonstrating that you have the capacity to complete a project once your start it (even if you aren’t all that interested in it). You may even convince your family and friends to invest in your new startup upon graduation. If they see you as a flake that doesn’t finish what you start - that's not happening.

If I were you, I would enjoy your time at school and do what is necessary to be successful. Once you graduate and start your own organization, you will have plenty of time to deal with the stresses of the world and business ownership. For now it is perfectly acceptable for you to be broke and happy – ENJOY!!!!

Startup Help

I second this.