With sights on graduation, many students are getting a head's start on the job market by creating their own. The current economy doesn't make the real world look very appealing. The hopes of getting a job after graduation are slim, which iscausing many students to take a proactive approach and run and operate small businesses right out of their dorm rooms. They've stepped away from baby sitting or doing odd jobs, to creating full-fledged companies from a wide range of areas such as fashion, marketing, finance, and more.
The social media generation has many online resources available to them. Students are taking advantage of current technology to turn local start ups into household names. Dorm rooms are producing sophisticated products and acting as headquarters for student companies. College kids are now taking on new responsibilities along with academic. Time management is taken to a new extreme now that students are mixing study time with business meetings.
If you have a passion for something or want to take your idea to the next level, consider starting a business straight from your dorm room! To begin, write everything down. Write out your vision, the goals of your company, and what resources you will need to start. There are numerous business templates found online for free to help you draft up a plan. When working on a draft, seek guidance from professors or writing tutors. Visit the Economics or Business department to see what resources they may offer or classes you could take to get a better understanding on how to run a business such as a Marketing or Finance course.Don't get caught up in a plan, however. You can simply write down your ideas, start up costs, and materials needed to get started on a business venture.
A college campus is the perfect place to build networks among students, professors, and campus visitors. Business cards are a perfect tool for networking and are often found cheap online. Keep your card handy and ready to disburse at any given chance. It's important to make an effort to introduce yourself to visitors on campus such as guest speakers and alum. Many come with internship opportunities are could act as a letter of recommendation in the future. Follow up on introductions by emailing and keeping in contact to build lasting relationships. Networking with fellow students is important as well. Everyone's goal is to be successful,m so why not help each other out. You never know what someone can offer.
Consider bartering services with students to help build up your business in the beginning stages.
Creating a presence online is a major part of branding a company. In this generation, everyone is on social media and often use it as a source of news and a way to stay connected. Social networks are a crucial part in entrepreneurship. Having a Twitter or Facebook for your business builds its credibility. Many resources online are free and simple to use. Students can easily build websites and run business for minimal start up costs.Campus also offers cheap printing services for marketing materials such as flyers, which makes posting info about your brand or product on campus a breeze.
Funding is the most difficult part to successfully starting up a business. The campus environment is an incubator to raise money and get people behind your idea. Big names are constantly marketing to students because they are trendsetters. By being a student, you have an advantage to getting collegiate support behind your product. Promotional items are a great way to get everyone talking about. Create a video or pass out free items to students on campus and watch them advertise for you! Alum are a great source for start up capital. Many are willing to offer support or mentorship to current students.
Facebook started on a college campus and now is a billion dollar company. When thinking of stepping into entrepreneurship, start by using the resources available to you on a college campus: students, knowledge, and technology.
Shanika Simmons
