Comments on: What to do in college to prepare for entrepreneurship http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:24:39 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: gainsvillesun http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/comment-page-1/#comment-187981 gainsvillesun Sun, 21 Jun 2009 09:21:21 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/#comment-187981 I actually know of a few schools with Entrepreneurship majors. You should also go to a school with programs that you like, For example, if you want your own interior decorating company, you should probably go to a technical school for that. If you want to own your own Beauty academy, you should probably study at a hair/makeup school. If you want to own a construction business, learn the ropes of carpentry through work experience. School is important, but work experience and skill development far outweigh what school can teach in theory! Trust me, I am speaking from experience! I actually know of a few schools with Entrepreneurship majors. You should also go to a school with programs that you like, For example, if you want your own interior decorating company, you should probably go to a technical school for that. If you want to own your own Beauty academy, you should probably study at a hair/makeup school. If you want to own a construction business, learn the ropes of carpentry through work experience.

School is important, but work experience and skill development far outweigh what school can teach in theory! Trust me, I am speaking from experience!

]]> By: Todd Beardsley http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/comment-page-1/#comment-183011 Todd Beardsley Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:04:07 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/#comment-183011 I actually know of a lot of schools that have programs that require students to start their own company. Many will do landscaping or painting companies, but I think the real-world experience is a great idea! I actually know of a lot of schools that have programs that require students to start their own company. Many will do landscaping or painting companies, but I think the real-world experience is a great idea!

]]> By: Todd Beardsley http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/comment-page-1/#comment-179235 Todd Beardsley Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:05:19 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/#comment-179235 It would be great if there was a class that you could take in college that would prepare you for running your own business. Unfortunately, there are no classes that can simulate the ups and downs of running your own company. There are so many variables involved; any education that would prepare someone would be skin deep at best. It would be great if there was a class that you could take in college that would prepare you for running your own business. Unfortunately, there are no classes that can simulate the ups and downs of running your own company. There are so many variables involved; any education that would prepare someone would be skin deep at best.

]]> By: Zena Lahdenpera http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/comment-page-1/#comment-141948 Zena Lahdenpera Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:38:32 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/#comment-141948 I hadn't ever thought about starting my own business until a friend of mine constantly came to me with ideas she wanted to start with my help. It was then that I realized that I REALLY didn't want to spend the rest of my life working for someone else on their time for thirty years to finally reach the goals I wanted. Now I see my education as helping me become prepared for running my own business rather than making me look good for some other company. Yes, I will probably need to work for someone else for a while to gain experience but it now isn't my long term goal. Loved the article! I hadn't ever thought about starting my own business until a friend of mine constantly came to me with ideas she wanted to start with my help. It was then that I realized that I REALLY didn't want to spend the rest of my life working for someone else on their time for thirty years to finally reach the goals I wanted. Now I see my education as helping me become prepared for running my own business rather than making me look good for some other company. Yes, I will probably need to work for someone else for a while to gain experience but it now isn't my long term goal. Loved the article!

]]> By: Eight Things to do in College to be Successful in Your Career | AskStudent http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/comment-page-1/#comment-141553 Eight Things to do in College to be Successful in Your Career | AskStudent Sun, 06 Apr 2008 14:07:23 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/#comment-141553 [...] can run a company out of your dorm room. Try anything. It’s free. The software is free, the viral marketing is free (your friends list) and your [...] [...] can run a company out of your dorm room. Try anything. It's free. The software is free, the viral marketing is free (your friends list) and your [...]

]]> By: Gerhi Janse van Vuuren http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/comment-page-1/#comment-106656 Gerhi Janse van Vuuren Thu, 23 Aug 2007 04:27:55 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/#comment-106656 Observer, The worst advice I ever received was from a 'trained' University counsellor with minimal life experience. People's life's are ruined if they don't get what they want. Which is what I think Penelope's is saying - find out what you want and go for it. Observer,

The worst advice I ever received was from a 'trained' University counsellor with minimal life experience.

People's life's are ruined if they don't get what they want. Which is what I think Penelope's is saying – find out what you want and go for it.

]]> By: John Goodman http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/comment-page-1/#comment-106618 John Goodman Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:08:02 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/#comment-106618 If you're looking for "Flexibility and personal growth" entrepenuership isn't necessarily the best answer. Working for yourself means the buck stops with you and that means probably lots of long hours, especially in the intial phase. And remember too, even in your own business you'll be beholding to someone whether it's customers, lenders, vendors and/or partners. As for selling Rick Terrien is spot on, selling is being truthful. But remember too, it's also filling a need. You objective is to have your customer want to BUY from you. In most cases you're going to have competition, so what you need to do is convince the customer that has a need that you can fulfill that need better than the other guy. If you're looking for "Flexibility and personal growth" entrepenuership isn't necessarily the best answer. Working for yourself means the buck stops with you and that means probably lots of long hours, especially in the intial phase. And remember too, even in your own business you'll be beholding to someone whether it's customers, lenders, vendors and/or partners.

As for selling Rick Terrien is spot on, selling is being truthful. But remember too, it's also filling a need. You objective is to have your customer want to BUY from you. In most cases you're going to have competition, so what you need to do is convince the customer that has a need that you can fulfill that need better than the other guy.

]]> By: observer http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/comment-page-1/#comment-106605 observer Wed, 22 Aug 2007 06:38:13 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/#comment-106605 Penelope, Your last sentence is diametrically in opposition to what you said a couple of years ago. You previously had said it will be wasteful to stick to one plan, but now you say you need to figure out a fixed plan. What about you? Did you have a plan when you finished college? I generally used to read all your articles, but I am getting a little weary of them. You present no facts, just your brainwaves. You could be giving incorrect advice, and ruining lives out there. Sorry! -Observer Penelope,

Your last sentence is diametrically in opposition to what you said a couple of years ago. You previously had said it will be wasteful to stick to one plan, but now you say you need to figure out a fixed plan.

What about you? Did you have a plan when you finished college?

I generally used to read all your articles, but I am getting a little weary of them. You present no facts, just your brainwaves. You could be giving incorrect advice, and ruining lives out there.

Sorry!
-Observer

]]> By: Patricia http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/comment-page-1/#comment-106604 Patricia Wed, 22 Aug 2007 06:19:57 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/#comment-106604 I went through university in the 80s and pretty much studied the whole time I was there. I did attempt to do some volunteer work within my university department but they just gave me some photocopying to do which I didn't mind doing but I never had an opportunity to learn too much about the office I was in. However, that was the time I was in. In the 80s it was easier to get a job interview and we more relaxed about things. Now, the opportunities for students have really grown! At my canadian university it's not unusual for students to work on 2 degrees at the same time AND take on a co-op program. Do they have co-op programs in the US?. It is an extra year in university but the students get hands on experience at some very good companies in our city or some very cool projects on campus. If I were working on my degree now I would go this route. Also, volunteer gigs are now abundant and are good opportunities for leadership experiences. There is a lot of competition for these as well. I went through university in the 80s and pretty much studied the whole time I was there. I did attempt to do some volunteer work within my university department but they just gave me some photocopying to do which I didn't mind doing but I never had an opportunity to learn too much about the office I was in. However, that was the time I was in. In the 80s it was easier to get a job interview and we more relaxed about things.

Now, the opportunities for students have really grown! At my canadian university it's not unusual for students to work on 2 degrees at the same time AND take on a co-op program. Do they have co-op programs in the US?. It is an extra year in university but the students get hands on experience at some very good companies in our city or some very cool projects on campus. If I were working on my degree now I would go this route. Also, volunteer gigs are now abundant and are good opportunities for leadership experiences. There is a lot of competition for these as well.

]]> By: Greg Rollett http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/comment-page-1/#comment-106571 Greg Rollett Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:12:13 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/08/20/what-to-do-in-college-to-prepare-for-entrepreneurship/#comment-106571 Being 24 as well, I have taken the step into a corporate gig in the field with which I wish to start my own business. What this did for me was give me the skills and confidence to do things on my spare time to make my company successful. Now still at the steady corporate job, I have started gaining new clients for my business, learn new tools and get paid to travel to conferences to learn more about the subject. That being said, without being with a good group of open minded college kids and having the freedom to throw around ideas, (and plenty of time to jump on the Myspace bus-which is my company)I would not be in a position to do the things that I'm doing. College is as much about the connections, networking, and experimentation as it is about the classes. And yes the student resource center is the most underused building on our campus too (UCF). Oh and love the story about the coffee shop in the dorm room, classic! Being 24 as well, I have taken the step into a corporate gig in the field with which I wish to start my own business. What this did for me was give me the skills and confidence to do things on my spare time to make my company successful. Now still at the steady corporate job, I have started gaining new clients for my business, learn new tools and get paid to travel to conferences to learn more about the subject.

That being said, without being with a good group of open minded college kids and having the freedom to throw around ideas, (and plenty of time to jump on the Myspace bus-which is my company)I would not be in a position to do the things that I'm doing.

College is as much about the connections, networking, and experimentation as it is about the classes. And yes the student resource center is the most underused building on our campus too (UCF).

Oh and love the story about the coffee shop in the dorm room, classic!

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