Ambassador Post: 3 Tips Every Aspiring Student Entrepreneur Should Know

With an anticipated graduation date of December 2021, at which point I will be earning a B.S. in Marketing, I think about the topics we’ve touched on in my entrepreneurship classes as well as my experiences as a first-year student ambassador for NC State Entrepreneurship. I would like to share my experiences and some tips for young entrepreneurs. Read this article to learn more about what I’ve gained since being a part of this entrepreneurial ecosystem and how it has helped me prepare for my career path upon graduation.

#1- Don’t be afraid to seek out new resources outside of school 

• As an entrepreneur or aspiring business owner, you should not be limited to learning only what you’re taught in school. When you run into a dilemma or a problem that might be difficult to figure out, you should not wait for professors to teach it to you, but rather seek outside resources that can help you learn business skills along the way. For instance, this may sound cliche, but Google is indeed your best friend. You are guaranteed to find a plethora of resources that will answer your question in an expansive manner. You may also be able to find credible blogs and articles from entrepreneurs that have achieved success the way you want to for your business idea. A popular way to learn about all aspects of business is listening to podcasts that talk about starting up as an entrepreneur. Some of my favorites include Side Hustle School, How I Built This with Guy Raz, and Choiceology with Katy Milkman. Other resources to utilize would be getting a hold of business books, magazines or biographies either from the library or the bookstore. Lastly, seeking a mentor could be beneficial in that they can help you maximize your opportunities to be successful in your business venture. Here on campus, we have the Entrepreneurship Mentors Program that focuses on creating value for both the student and mentor as well as building mentorships over time through social engagement. More information can be found here.

#2- Hire people as soon as possible in the beginning of your entrepreneurial venture 

• If possible, search for people that you can hire to help you with your business venture. This will help delegate the work and not cause you to be overwhelmed at once with school, exams, and work related to your start-up. College allows you to make instant connections with classmates that may be willing to help you with your business idea, while also gaining experience from their end as well. 

#3- Get involved with the entrepreneurial community on campus 

• Try to sign up for as many entrepreneurship classes as you can, because most times they usually host guest speakers (more importantly, they are usually successful entrepreneurs or alum that can speak about their experiences first-hand as well as their success in their business venture.) In addition, you should utilize the entrepreneurial community within your campus. For instance, NC State Entrepreneurship hosts a plethora of events, from Mentorship Meetups, entrepreneurship competitions, and networking opportunities. As a first year Entrepreneurship Student Ambassador, I have already gained so much, in terms of connections with faculty and staff in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, learning about the success of student and local entrepreneurs in the area, and gaining more knowledge in what it means to be in an entrepreneurial mindset. I am thrilled to be a part of the NC State Entrepreneurship community and hope to gain more professional skills and experiences along the way!