5 ways to be a student entrepreneur

Entrepreneurship is so much more than just a profession, it’s an approach to life. It’s a mindset that allows you to solve problems innovatively. We are in the midst of the 4^th Industrial Revolution. To put it simply, this means that we need to re-think which skills are more valuable in the job market. In the past, there was a huge emphasis on hard, quantitative skills. However, the advancement of technology has brought with it a greater need for soft, qualitative skills. The entrepreneurial mindset will be one of the most valuable skills of the 21^st century. How to create a mindset conducive to innovation? There is no time to start like while you are still a student! Student entrepreneurs are taking the world by storm and creating elegant solutions to complex problems. Here are our top 5 tips on becoming a student entrepreneur.

Build a Body of Work

Employers increasingly want to know what you can DO. Exam scores and academic excellence serves as a secondary supplement to internships and projects. It’s important to expose yourself to different work environments and people, especially as a college student. Taking on a variety of different projects will help you expand your comfort zone and build your soft skills. An added benefit is a digital footprint to help build your brand.

Be fearless

College is a low stakes environment to take risks! It’s your safe space to learn by DOing and not be afraid of failure. It’s your test drive to adulthood so be sure to use your time and opportunities wisely. Take smart risks and do not let fear drive your decisions. Find something you are passionate about and start incubating your ideas into real-life projects, businesses or products. If something fails, get back up and start again because you literally have nothing to lose as a student entrepreneur—the world is yours for the taking if only you shed your fear and convert some of those ideas into ACTION

Find the right people

College will expose you to all kinds of people. Learn to identify which people are good for you; be choosy about the company you keep. Surround yourself with the people you want to learn from and make connections with the people you want to emulate. In the age of social media, connecting with a famous role model is no longer a faraway dream. Building the right network and choosing your friends wisely can have a huge impact on your personality and career development. A positive peer group that constantly challenges and motivates you can shape your future.

Learn to learn

I am not referring to formal textbook learning but rather the learning that comes from self-initiative. As a college student, you should be soaking up knowledge like a sponge. These are your crucial years to build a killer skill set. Peer learning is a powerful tool to expand your horizons and explore different interests. Ask your creative friends to teach you how to play an instrument, ask your analytical friends to teach you how to code and ask your extroverted friends to advise you on how to get rid of your stage fright. College is your time to be relentlessly HUNGRY and curious in your pursuit of knowledge.

Just START

Don’t waste time waiting for the right time. You can read about becoming a student entrepreneur but there’s only so far that consuming content can get you. Make stuff happen.