Resource:How to assess your impact and the innovation ecosystem

Overview

We believe students can make a big impact in expanding the innovation and entrepreneurship climate on campus. That is the premise of this wiki and the basis for the creation of many student change-maker organizations. Conducting a survey gives you two things: one, an understanding of the nuances of what motivates your student peers to seek out innovation and entrepreneurship, and two, a measure of your campus's culture at the beginning and end of your academic year to show campus administration that you are making a difference.

Before you begin your academic-year and implement your changemaking strategies in earnest, you need to measure the campus climate for interest in innovation and entrepreneurship.

You can design a survey easily using Google Forms, or create a free Survey Monkey account. Design a survey that should take the user no more than FIVE (5) minutes to complete.

Survey

Here's a 9-question survey used by an Engineering School in the Mid-Atlantic:

1) What school are you in? [Provide a drop-down list of schools at your institution]

2) What degree level are you pursuing? [Provide a drop-down list of degree levels, adding 'faculty' to the list if desired] 3) What is your level of interest in acquiring innovation & entrepreneurship skills; or in starting a company? [scale of 1-5] 4) Why are you interested in innovation & entrepreneurship activity?

• I want to be my own boss
• The potential financial rewards
• I want to have an impact on society
• I have a great idea
• I want to work on creative and innovative ideas
• I feel the need to be able to create my own job / Job security
• It's a cool thing to do
• I'm not interested in Entrepreneurship

5) At our campus, how available are programs / activities that support student entrepreneurship? [scale of 1-5] 6) How would you characterize the culture at our institution? [scale of 1-5] 7) What has been your highest level of exposure to innovation & entrepreneurship at our institution?

• I am not, and I will likely not participate in any.
• I have not, but I would like to.
• I am a member of a student club.
• I have participated in a business plan competition.
• I have gone to seminars or workshops.
• I have taken a class.
• I have been enrolled in a degree/certificate program.

8) Which of the following would stop you from starting your own company?

• Haven't graduated yet
• Lack of experience/knowledge
• Lack of mentors/connections
• Fear of failing
• I don't think I could get financing to start a company
• I need to find a more secure job for financial reasons
• I need a job with health insurance
• I don't know how to find others to help me build my project
• I have no fears of starting a business

9) Do you have innovation & entrepreneurship experience outside of the classroom?

• I do not have any experience at this point
• I have already worked for a startup
• I currently have an idea and am trying to start a company
• I have licensed an invention to a company
• I have already started a company

Other instruments

Feel free to share other instruments you've seen or used here.