University Innovation Fellows - User contributions [en]

School:Washington State University

2017-02-15T03:35:42Z

Wolfromkev:

= Campus Overview =

The presentation below gives an overview of the Washington State University's Entrepreneurial and Innovation opportunities. Below are some of the programs in more detail that are available at WSU Pullman's campus that focuses on the development of students' business skills. 

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'''University Innovation Fellows at Washington State University'''

University Innovation Fellow Spring 2013: Viviana Tran

University Innovation Fellow Spring 2014: Amber Graviat

University Innovation Fellow Spring 2016: [[Mitchell Scott|Mitchell Scott]], [[Ryan Pitzer|Ryan Pitzer]], [[Parot Victor Charoonsophonsak|Victor Charoonsophonsak]]

University Innovation Fellow Spring 2017 Kevin Wolfrom, Kiera Rust, Alyssa Norris, Bardya Banihashemi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKZtC5XPAvw&feature=em-upload_owner

=== Promoting student innovation and entrepreneurship ===

At Washington State University, we highly encourage and promote innovation and entrepreneurship through various mediums on both the entrepreneurial perspective of the Carson College of Business and also the innovation Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. From the WSU Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, an entrepreneurship major is offered along with an entrepreneurship minor for students not in the Carson College of Business here at Washington State University. The department also offers up various programming opportunities for entrepreneurship throughout the school year like the Business Plan Competition as coordinated by various student organizations such as ENACTUS and the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies director, Marie Mayes. From the innovation perspective, the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture provides students with maker spaces, research facilities, and student organizations to encourage innovation. These facilities and opportunities provide our students with the ability to develop innovative ideas. Our campus is working hard to continually integrate and combine both aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship through programs such as the Harold Frank Fellows and the Boeing Scholars Program. These are the types of promotional events that encourage students to collaborate and come up with entrepreneurial and innovative ideas that change the world. 

=== Encouraging faculty innovation and entrepreneurship ===

The WSU Center for Entrepreneurial Studies has an incredible program to promote various faculty members and their venture ideas. Not only does this further the innovation and entrepreneurship idea throughout the faculty members, but this will also help in changing the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem here at WSU by encouraging students to also participate and further their ideas towards these goals as well. Through the WSU Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, faculty members who have created start-ups are able to mentor and provide guidance to students who are interested in pursuing their own start-up idea and having an impact to innovation and entrepreneurship here at WSU.

=== Actively supporting the university technology transfer function ===

At Washington State University, we have several incredible resources to pursue venture ideas for students and faculty. The Office of Commercialization provides students and faculty to ensure that innovations and discoveries by WSU researchers are evaluated, protected where possible, and prepared for licensing by third parties. the office supports the goal of translating research discoveries into innovations into the marketplace. Not only do we have that office, but we also have several funding sources such as the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture Seed Funding program and also the Spokane Angel Alliance. These funding sources and support truly assist in the pursue of innovation and entrepreneurship here at Washington State University.

=== Facilitating University-Industry collaboration ===

Various technology spaces, regional sources of capital, and advisory efforts exist at Washington State University to facilitate the university and industry collaboration for the innovation and entrepreneurial ideas. Research labs such as the Engineering and Teaching Research Labs and the WSU Research Park provide students and faculty spaces to perform their research and find these innovative ideas. The MME Cougar Shop also provides a manufacturing space to create prototypes and test the innovation ideas that come about here at Washington State University. Sources such as the Washington Research Foundation and the Office of Commercialization assist in providing funding and capital investments to fund and further the ideas that originate from the research labs. Mentoring and advising as offered byt he Harold Frank Office and the Development Office for the Voiland College of Engineering Architecture assist in pursuing those ideas and futher the process in commercializaiton. 

=== Engaging with regional and local economic development efforts ===

There are a couple different ways in which Washington State University can be more involved with local economic development efforts. First, there are two incubators in the region which help foster high-tech startups. Many of the companies in these incubators have graduates from Washington State University. Second, there are large economic development efforts from Spokane, Washington. Getting involved with the Spokane Angel alliance with be a productive way of engaging with the local economy.
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= Programs Offered at WSU =

=== Business Plan Competition ===

The WSU College of Business hosts the Business Plan competition. The competition exists to give student entrepreneurs the opportunity to practice business in a real-world setting. The Business Plan Competition is key to rounding out academic and outreach efforts—bridging theory and application for students who participate.
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The business competition has expanded and reaches out past WSU. Competitiors from different schools and around the world come to Pullman to present their ideas for the future.. 

Learn more about the competition by contacting Marie Mayes at [mailto:mmayes@wsu.edu mmayes@wsu.edu]  information can also be found at [http://www.business.wsu.edu/businessplancompetition2014/Pages/bpc_home.aspx http://www.business.wsu.edu/businessplancompetition2014/Pages/bpc_home.aspx]

=== WSU Harold Frank Entrepreneurship Program ===

The Harold Frank Engineering Entrepreneurship Institute conssits of engineering and business students who are interested in technological entrepreneurship. The program refines the business skills of WSU students ad promotes innovation whem designing business plans. 

More information can be found at [http://www.cea.wsu.edu/entrepreneurship http://www.cea.wsu.edu/entrepreneurship]

=== Innovation Assessment Center ===

The Washington State Innovation Assessment Center (IAC) has provided evaluation services to individuals and small businesses throughout the world. An IAC early stage market assessment will help one to make changes to their product for a brighter innovated future.

More information can be found at [http://www.business.wsu.edu/organizations/iac/Pages/index.aspx http://www.business.wsu.edu/organizations/iac/Pages/index.aspx]

= Student Priorities =

=== Overview ===

Washington State University is a college that focuses on programs and opportunities in innovation for the student body. All the programs offered on the campus are focused around specific disciplines and give each student the opportunity to network within their field of interest. Even though Washington State University has limited connections due to its location, there is a strong alumni base that offers various opportunities to students.  {{#Widget:Prezis|id=ewpo7wstbtur}}

= Strategic Plan #1: Increasing Awareness in Innovation and Entrepreneurship =

These opportunities that have the potential to shift the way WSU teaches Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the classroom.

=== Pitch Workshop ===

Many students at WSU have great ideas for engineering designs, potential businesses, or interesting projects to work on. The problem, however, is that many of these students do not know how to refine their ideas or access some of the resource's we have on capmus. Our plan is to create the first WSU pitch workshop where students will have the ability to work with like minded individuals on an idea while also getting coaching from experts in various fields. At the ptich work shops, there will be a special focus on promoting awareness for WSU resources. 

=== Resource Nights ===

Resource Nights are part of a 6-week program that offers students the chance to talk to alumni who have created start-ups. They are held in the Spring and run the first 6 weeks into the Spring semester. The speakers' backgrounds are varied and they offer valuable insight on various topics. This program is limited to students who are taking specific courses at WSU. The goal would be to open this up to all disciplines on the campus and give students within STEM programs the opportunities to gain the same knowledge. 

Plan of action:

*Work with the College of Business and Engineering to gain speakers and to network
*Find local businesses that will support the events

=== Harold Frank Entrepreneurship Program ===

[http://www.cea.wsu.edu/entrepreneurship The Harold Frank Engineering Entrepreneurship Institute] is made up of junior-level engineering and business students who are interested in technological entrepreneurship. The program aims to give students the tools and experiences they need to pursue their ideas. This program also promotes students to be involved on-campus and apply for the business competition offered in the spring. It focuses on creating cohesion between the college of engineering and the college of business. This program gives the students a real experience of the process of working with others with different backgrounds while getting the experience of starting a business from scratch. To be a part of this particular program, there is an application process; however, a majority of the classes in this program are offered to all students. The goal is to make students more aware of the courses within this program that available to them. 

'''Frank Innovtion Zone:'''

The Frank Innovation Zone (FIZ) is the first WSU maker space intended for multidisciplinary groups. Existing in the WSU engineering building, the FIZ has several tools to help bring student ideass to life:

*Collaberative tables with TV monitors
**The walls of the FIZ have large TV screens on them which allows students to hook up their labtops for group projects. This makes doing homework and other projects easier as all memebers can view what is being worked on.
*Laser cutter
**The laser cutter can take CAD models and use the specified dimensions to cut out either plastic or wood to help bring student ideas to life.
*Wood/Metal fabrication shop
**The wood and metal fabrication shop has many wood working tools to help shape or cut designs of various materials.
*3D printing shop
**The 3D printing lab has several variations of 3D printers for plastic design
*Electrical circuits shop
**The electrical circuits shop has various tools to help bring electronic designs to life. Soldering machines is one of the tools they have avaliable

=== TEDx ===

WSU has now hosted two consecutvie TEDx's, and plan's for a third is being discussed.TEDx offers WSU the opportunity to create a community on our campus and share thoughts on innovation to inspire the next generation. The hardest part of planning a TEDx at our campus is finding speakers and sponsors, due to our campus's location. The WSU TEDx has been very successful in recruiting professors on campus to give talks about their research or ideas. However, it has lacked in bringing outside talent to talk about projects they have been working on. As the WSU TEDx moves forward, we plan to bring in people from other regions to give an additional prespective to our campus. 

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= Related Links =

[[Mitchell Scott|Mitchell Scott]]

[[Parot Victor Charoonsophonsak|Victor Charoonsophonsak]]

[[Ryan Pitzer|Ryan Pitzer ]]

[[Amber Graviet|Amber Graviet]]

[[Washington State University Student Priorities|Washington_State_University_Student_Priorities]]
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[[Category:Universities]]

Fellow:Kevin Wolfrom

2017-01-06T20:49:33Z

Wolfromkev:

[[File:Kevinkevin.jpg|thumb]]Kevin Wolfrom is a Chemical Engineering student at Washington State University.  He is a member of the Harold Frank Entrprenuership Institute, the Boeing Mentorship Program, The American Institute of Chemical Engineering, the WSU Reaction Car Team, and works as an ambassador for the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. He is very passionate about entrprenuership and engineering and wants to use these skills in his future career. One of his current goals is to become a full fledged member of the University Innovation Fellows. 

[[Category:Student Contributors|Student_Contributors]]

File:Kevinkevin.jpg

2017-01-06T20:48:35Z

Wolfromkev:

Fellow:Kevin Wolfrom

2017-01-06T20:46:41Z

Wolfromkev:

Kevin Wolfrom is a Chemical Engineering student at Washington State University.  He is a member of the Harold Frank Entrprenuership Institute, the Boeing Mentorship Program, The American Institute of Chemical Engineering, the WSU Reaction Car Team, and works as an ambassador for the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. He is very passionate about entrprenuership and engineering and wants to use these skills in his future career. One of his current goals is to become a full fledged member of the University Innovation Fellows. 

[[Category : Student Contributors]]

Fellow:Kevin Wolfrom

2017-01-06T20:46:23Z

Wolfromkev:

Fellow:Kevin Wolfrom

2017-01-06T20:44:25Z

Wolfromkev:

Fellow:Kevin Wolfrom

2017-01-06T20:38:44Z

Wolfromkev:

Fellow:Kevin Wolfrom

2017-01-06T20:38:09Z

Wolfromkev: Replaced content with "Kevin Wolfrom"

Kevin Wolfrom

Fellow:Kevin Wolfrom

2017-01-06T20:37:51Z

Wolfromkev:

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Kevin Wolfrom

Fellow:Kevin Wolfrom

2017-01-06T20:37:34Z

Wolfromkev:

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= Kevin Wolfrom =

Fellow:Kevin Wolfrom

2017-01-06T20:35:57Z

Wolfromkev: Created page with "Kevin Wolfrom"

Kevin Wolfrom

Resource:How to secure a startup career with Venture for America

2017-01-06T20:00:29Z

Wolfromkev:

Hey Candidates! Welcome. Thank you for collaborating with your fellow interviewees to create a resource that helps student changemakers for years to come. We created a very simple template for you with section headings that your should swap out for your own, picking from [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B6mlePQGB7ElzwcdtQD09p3Z6IFCi_jy2vQAJmmxt_I/edit the template we provided you here]. Use the text editor or OR click on '''Show wiki text editor''' (highly recommended) to use the very simple text interface. To add photos, you must create an account by clicking 'Log in / create account' under 'Personal Tools' menu to the right. Wait 12-24 hours for access. Don't forget to write down your username and password. If you have any questions, [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGmMfSglkVGHZtQobS8oEPsfkpGZY-Njh visit this page] or contact [mailto:team@universityinnovation.org team@universityinnovation.org]. Delete this paragraph after building out your page.

== Overview ==



A startup career is not for everyone. However, if you are a multidisciplinary person who enjoys collaborate with other people but has no problem flying solo on a project, you might want to consider working for or building a startup firm. This page will give you a detailed instructions and advice on how to land a startup career with Venture for America, a fellowship program that place talented college graduate in startups in struggling cities. The information is separated into four sections. The first section - Determine your passion - emphasizes the importance of understanding what interest and motivate you before choosing your career path. The second section - Application to Venture for America - walks you through all the necessary steps for your application to the fellowship program. The third section - Maximizing Your Chances and Utilizing Your Resources - offers advice on the application process. The last section - Future after Venture for America - paints a picture of your future once you graduate from Venture for America’s program.

== Applying to Venture For America ==

Venture for America has a highly competitive application process. In order to become an esteemed fellow, one must complete a rigorous application. The process is split is into three parts: a written application, a phone interview, and an in-person meetup with competing applicants. The application is basic, merely consisting of three pages. The first page is personal information, such as your name, contact information, and details regarding your school or institution. The second page is broken down into three sections, a description of your accomplishments, two personal essays, and a description of your skills. These three sections should be used to convey why you would be a great fit for the Venture for America fellowship. The third page asks for demographic informationregarding your age, gender, and student loan debt. Based on the written portion of the application, if the review committee sees you as fit to be a potential fellow, the applicant can then move onto the second round, the phone interview. The phone interview is typically held with an existent Venture for America fellow where you discuss your skills and qualifications for being a fellow. The interviewer is looking to see if you will fit in with the VFA environment and to ensure you have the skills needed to be in the competitive environment of a startup. If successful with the phone interview you move onto round three, the in-person meetup with all of the applicants. All applicants send a time together and go through a series of group activities, interviews, and simulations to determine which should become a fellow. The interviewers are not looking out for technical, they are observing to see if you have the appropriate communication, leadership, and teamwork skills needed to succeed at a startup company. The overall process is rigorous, however there are many ways you can get ahead with your application.

== Maximizing Your Chances and Utilizing Your Resources ==

It may sound very daunting and peculiar, but utilizing your resources is key to success while starting a startup career with Venture for America. While you may branch out looking for resources elsewhere, utilizing your resources at school and getting involved with the local startup community is critical and should be a preference regardless. Being a university innovation fellow can be helpful too, as you can use the fellows’ network to share ideas, discuss potential initiatives, and receive useful guidance. In order to maximize your chances of being successful, you should also look to friends and your other social groups for resources.

One common misconception that often deters many applicants is that they tend to think some past working experience related to the selected fields is required for the interview round. Applying for Venture for America is not like applying to a specific company of your choice, rather, Venture for America takes talented, passionate individuals based on their written application, interviews and connect them to different startups in different locations. Qualified applicants’ strengths and characteristics are extracted during this process and used to determine which company they will fit best in. So essentially, the admission process is more like making a good match than making a selection. Furthermore,  a startup is an extremely social environment where everything changes rapidly; employers typically prefer likeable people who can work well with others and adapt quickly to changes than people who has the skills to do the job, because they will train you how to do the job once you get in anyway. So it is in your best interest to show interviewers that you’re a sociable, passionate, intelligent hard worker who has strong communication, presentation skills and can work well under pressure and changes. But with this being said, it is obviously much more beneficial if you had some related work experience, but it is certainly not the determining factor whether you’ll secure the position or not. 

== Future after Venture for America ==

Pursuing a career at a startup through Venture For America will be a sacrifice. The experience you will find at a startup will be very different than what you would find at a large company in the industry. Although working at a startup may sound alluring, it’s important to understand that there’s an immense amount of risk involved as well. Your role in the company will be have a direct impact on its success and longevity, but this will also come with more liability for your mistakes. You will have to take on roles that fall out of your expertise at times, and this will require you to be able to think on your feet in times of stress. Around 80 percent of new businesses don't make it past the first one and a half years, so your job will be less secure. Meeting deadlines will be imperative, as new companies need to stay profitable in order to stay afloat.

Although working at a startup through Venture For America may sound daunting at first, it will give you invaluable skills and lifelong connections that will benefit your career. The Venture For America family is full of highly motivated, intelligent and innovative people that want to make a difference in the world. Venture For America allows you to work on something that you're truly passionate about, and enables you to have a direct impact on the community.
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Resource:How to secure a startup career with Venture for America

2017-01-06T20:00:13Z

Wolfromkev:

Resource:How to secure a startup career with Venture for America

2017-01-06T19:59:47Z

Wolfromkev:

Resource:How to secure a startup career with Venture for America

2017-01-06T19:59:35Z

Wolfromkev:

Resource:How to secure a startup career with Venture for America

2017-01-06T19:59:09Z

Wolfromkev:

Resource:How to secure a startup career with Venture for America

2017-01-06T19:54:28Z

Wolfromkev: A startup career is not for everyone. However, if you are a multidisciplinary person who enjoys collaborate with other people but has no problem flying solo on a project, you might want to consider working for or building a startup firm. This page will gi

Resource:How to secure a startup career with Venture for America

2017-01-06T19:54:03Z

Wolfromkev: