Entrepreneurship Education Initiative

Phase 2: Building Skill Sets

The second phase of the entrepreneurship process involves academic components as well as experiential components that allow students to identify and develop skills that are critical to entrepreneurial success. Students become aware of, learn about and practice critical skills such as communication, networking, leadership, and negotiation skills. Courses incorporate a variety of teaching tools such as lecture, interactive learning, group work, introspective exercises, and experienced guest lecturers. The experiential components of this phase provide students with an opportunity to develop and practice these skills and become aware of skills that they are lacking.

Students are presented with numerous opportunities to build upon their skill sets with frequent interaction with the business community. Shadow days are incorporated whereby students shadow a successful entrepreneur. The students have the opportunity to witness and learn the application of skills, such as negotiation, from a seasoned entrepreneur. Students are expected to integrate all skills as they assist in the development and continuous improvement of the EEI. By the end of phase two, our students have a working knowledge of and experience with many of the skills necessary to launch and grow a successful entrepreneurial venture.