Using Entrepreneurship to Get a Job; College Career Advice

Entrepreneurship has never been a hotter topic than it is now. With a recovering economy, entrepreneurship is more important than ever to help create new jobs and products/services to enhance the economy. If you have viewed many job postings over the past six months, you have probably seen "entrepreneurial minded" in the description of what companies are looking for. Right now is a great time to be involved in entrepreneurship through intrapreneurship, which is the practice of entrepreneurship in an established firm.

How to Take Advantage of the Trend Towards Entrepreneurship
Getting involved while gaining experience is the most important way to separate yourself from others while giving youself opportunities to succeed. Demonstrate your entrepreneurial mindset and your ability to be creative and innovative in order to get that dream job.

Start a Business
A healthy mix of working on your own business idea while getting involved with others to build contacts will help you in your entrepreneurial endeavors. Start a business with a new idea or with a group of friends. Not only will this help you make some extra cash, but you can add it to your resume, showing your entrepreneurial spirit and drive to succeed at a young age. Highlight your entrepreneurial endeavors on resume's and cover letters to help cash in on the hot trend towards entrepreneurship.

Network
Finding a job and creating a successful business both rely on strong contacts with successful entrepreneurs and professionals, those who can help you reach places which otherwise can seem nearly impossible. Even the best idea can fail without help along the way, and the same can be said about a job you may be perfect for, but no one knows you exist. Networking online can be just as important as networking in person and you can reach many more people than attending social events. Pair your online networking efforts with meeting people in the community as well, especially those who can influence business decisions, like the chamber of commerce. Step outside your comfort zone to meet new people, as you never know who might be the perfect connection.

Market Yourself
Think of yourself as a product - you need to create a unique and memorable brand image to market who you are and what you can do. This goes for in-person and online. Take advantage of all available free tools. Facebook, Linked In and Twitter are just the start. Write articles, start blogs, create pages on sites like Squidoo.com and Weebly.com and submit press releases to highlight what you are doing and who you are.

Join an Organization
Joining a college affiliated organization can help you gain contacts without much effort and give you an opportunity to gain experience through meetings, fundraisers, and competitions affiliated with the organization. The Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization, along with other business organizations can add to your resume' full of entrepreneurship related experience. Holding a leadership position in one of these organizations, and especially starting one of these organizations at your school will stand out on an application. To start a CEO chapter at your school, visit www.c-e-o.org , or contact ceo@c-e-o.org.

Use College Resources
Every university/college has resources available to students. Databases, speakers, meetings, and simply having access to business professors can help you make connections with potential employers. Colleges often own the rights to patents as well, which could provide an opportunity to work on an entrepreneurial venture with the help of your school. Speak to administrators and your business school's dean to get more information on what is available to you.

Volunteer
Many non-profit organizations are entrepreneurial and give you opportunities to get involved that you would not be able to get in any entry level corporate position. Helping in recruiting or fundraising can translate over to a sales or marketing position very well.

Get a Mentor
Work on a connection to the point that you can call a successful entrepreneur your mentor. Not only will this mentor possibly help find you a job if they have a readily available contact who is in need, they may hire you to work for them.

Entrepreneurship Competitions
Competitions are a great way to not only win prizes, but gain contacts and get recognition for your hard work and entrepreneurial savvy. The Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization along with individual universities often host competitions including elevator pitch competitions, business plan competitions, and more.

If you are searching for a job it is important to strengthen your portfolio no matter what major you are in, but showing experience and that you are willing to take risks in entrepreneurship will go along way when interviewing with a potential employer.