This is the fourth in a series of blogs featuring the Venture Club, written by Evening MBA student Kelci Dye.
At the beginning of April, I attended an event at PERQ specifically for Kelley Evening MBA students. It was one of my favorite events I have attended during my MBA career. Not only did I learn a lot from ver
y wise marketers and entrepreneurs, but I was emboldened to continue pursuing my own career interests.
Here are some of my favorite words of wisdom from the event:
- I typically think that you’re either made for entrepreneurship or corporate life. However, two out of the three entrepreneurs had extensive experience before going into the venture world. They used their corporate experience to find holes in the industry and then created a venture to fill those holes.
- The best way to prepare for entrepreneurship is just to jump in and do it. Nothing will prepare you like learning by doing.
- You are your own PR person, and you must manage your brand throughout your career.
- Always look for opportunities to help someone above you. Don’t wait for an opportunity – Ask for it.
- In entrepreneurship, you have to be comfortable with doing unpaid projects first. Then use those initial projects as case studies to get paid customers.
- You need to know your customer’s role well enough that you know how to solve their problem.
This event provided critical information to my Kelley Evening MBA education. I was emboldened to know that as I prepare to graduate this spring, I have the necessary tools and experience to do what I want to do. With my MBA under my belt, there is nothing that I cannot figure out or that I should be afraid to try. I feel ready now more than ever to take my Kelley MBA and pursue my career dreams.
