Resource:How to engage students turned off by the words entrepreneurship, startup and venture

How to engage students turned off by the words entrepreneurship, startup and venture

Introduction:

Many students don't like the words entrepreneurship, startup, and venture. It is possible that they sound risky or strictly business related topics. Many students are interested in designing and creating or just learning new skills and wouldn't categorize themselves as entrepreneurs. The main ways to get these students involved is by using inclusion words, gather a supportive community, engage them in learning and creating, and showing them the value these experiences have for them. 

Main Themes: 

Include, Support, Engage, and Create Value

Include- Inclusion is very important. Many people don't catergorize themselves as entrepreneurs but they love to design, create, market, or do business. These are all very important aspects of a startup and all pieces are needed. You need to really think about the words you use, how you present the opportunities and value to the students. This will affect who thinks it benefical to attend the club or events. For this topic, inclusion is number one priority. 

Support- You want to create a group that will encourage each other, share ideas, and become a support system and ultimately a community for those who are interests in creating. Whether it is creating a business or a product or whatever. 

Engage- To keep student interested you need to engage them. This could be through hands-on experiences or events in general. You want to engage them through the club that creates support. You also want to engage through new ideas, opportunities, and the subject of creation. You want them to dive in and dream asking themselves "what if."

Create Value- Students must see value in their experiences. You want them to learn something new so they stay engaged and hungry for more. You want them to recognize what you are doing as valuable to them and their careers. If not, maybe it satisfies their personal cravings for more knowledge and new experiences. You need everything to be valuable and also be viewed as valuable. This topic is about engagement and perception.

Ways to implement these themes:

Create a community/Support of like-minded:

Creating an open community where people can get support is very important for reduce the risk students see in startups or ventures. Think about branding and what to name these communities as not to exclude groups i.e. artists/designers. All are welcome. Some things may sound too tech, business-y, but using a name like Creation Group would be more welcoming and sounds more laid back and less intimidating. 

Note: If the community doesn't work, rebrand, recreate and try again.

Activities/Events that Inspire/Educate:

To create events and activities, you may need a small budget through school or sponsors. Events should be short and sweet; they should be an experience where many people can come and learn something new. Shorter events make it easier to fit into busy schedules and are less of a time commitment for those who are just wanting to learn something new or trying it out. Students that are interested would be more prone to show up. Advertising for events is crucial. Advertising gets the name out about an event as well as the group putting it on. Advertising should be open and welcoming to all student. This will bring in people who are turned off by certain specific words. They may be an entrepreneur and not even know it. 

Examples of Events: Demos, hackathons, invention factory (where students are paid for patentable designs), speakers, networking, workshops.

-Activities that are hands-on gives students a chance to try new things. Speakers can put a personal face on startups as well as motivate students and be a opportunity for networking. Yearly events, such as a hackathon, is a good way to establish an annual event that can easily become popular and students can look forward to it. 

Overall idea recap: Create environments that do not exclude or seem created for only one type of person. Advertise events to all students and make them valuable.