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Entre-Vous To Entrepreneur – Advice from Alumni

During Homecoming I had the great opportunity to attend a panel discussion that was sponsored by the 125 years of co-education celebration. It was an amazing panel with outstanding alumni–all with different points of view, industries, passions, but 1 thing in common: the desire and fortitude to become a successful entrepreneur. This panel should not have been missed but alas it was…by many. The information was so good that I decided that I should share some snippets.

The best pieces of advise that I gleaned from this panel are as follows:

  1. Network: Take advantage and use the opportunities you have here to start networking and building relationships–it’s not always about getting a job offer, networking is also great for informational interviewing as well as building contacts that you can call on for support later in life
  2. Get an Internship: Perhaps graduation is not quite on your horizon or landing a job has been tough–don’t forget about the value of internships or, if you are a sophomore, the amazing Externship program. Try different industries and areas that interest you, get your hands dirty, get your feet wet and start to figure out what you interests you and discover what type of job that will be right for you.
  3. Graduate and get a job: I know that is easier said than done in today’s economy but what each panelist concluded was that to be a successful entrepreneur you need to have work experience. And while you are getting that work experience, in whatever form in may come in, be critical of every job you get (without saying anything of course!), note what you like and what you don’t like, what you would do differently, build contacts across business fields, build your skills and your interests and then…take all that insight and start your own business!
  4. Have a passion: You will be pouring your heart, soul, and perhaps even your own 401K into this venture so you must love what you do
  5. Go back to basics: Each panelist had a good old fashioned pen and notepad with them to jot down notes, ideas, contacts, research leads…anything that can pop into your head
  6. Give back when you can: When you finally reach your apex of success it is important to give back in whatever way you can. Each panelist exemplified this by not only returning to Bucknell (from as far as CA and as south as Alabama) to support their alma mater during Homecoming but by also agreed to take time out of their busy lives and busy days to share their amassed knowledge with students…a completely altruistic reason. So remember all the current Bucknellians when you’ve finally made it and contact Alumni Relations and Career Services to volunteer!

Did you know that Alumni Relations and Career Services can help you with 4 out of the 6 pieces of advise? B-Link, Industry/Profession Networks, Alumni Panels throughout the year, Externships, BPIP Internship Fund, Capitol Hill Internship Fund, Internships, the Internship Challenge, Career Fairs (both on campus and off campus), countless resources on Informational Interviewing, Career and Industry Resources (only for Bucknellians) … if that isn’t enough to get you started then…

It all boils down to using Alumni Relations and Career Services wisely while you are here and making sure you take advantage of all the opportunities you have. Stay tuned-in through Facebook, Twitter, or our Google Calendar, oh and bookmark the Career Insider blog! Start exploring all our resources today!

One Response to “Entre-Vous To Entrepreneur – Advice from Alumni”

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