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.