How can you gain Business Innovation experience while still in school?

Participar de projetos que desenvolvam o olhar empreendedor, em especial considerando o empreendedorismo social, é uma das ferramentas chaves para despertar nos jovens esse desejo.

My first experience was during my studies when I took part in a start-up competition and certain seminars. I didn't have any such experiences during my time at school, it was a shortcoming in the school system and I was only lucky enough to gain initial experience in one possible direction through internships. Especially at competitions or community meetings, you can join young founders even without precise ideas and gain many insights. The easiest way, thanks to the internet, are podcasts, videos (e.g. YouTube) and of course LinkedIn. There it is easy to meet like-minded people or build up specialist knowledge.

Being part of an innovation club exposes you to like-minded individuals, including students, faculty, and industry professionals. Networking can open doors to potential mentors and collaborators. Many innovation clubs engage in real-world projects. Participating in these projects allows you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, fostering hands-on experience. Innovation programs often offer workshops and training sessions. This helps you develop specific skills related to ideation, problem-solving, project management, and entrepreneurship. Clubs may have access to resources such as funding, technology, and workspaces. Utilizing these resources can enhance the scope and impact of your innovative projects.

Como profesor de innovación empresarial puedo decir que la mejor forma en la que trabajo con mis alumnos para que estos adquieren las competencias de innovación es a través de desafíos reales de innovación apoyados en empresas o entidades de nuestro entorno. Esto permite a los alumnos aprende las técnicas como el design thinking motivados por la búsqueda de soluciones que pueden aplicar a situaciones reales, lo cual es motivador para todos los que participamos.

Gain Business Innovation experience while in school by joining relevant clubs or student organizations. Participate in innovation competitions and hackathons. Seek internships or part-time jobs with innovative companies. Attend industry events, conferences, and workshops. Collaborate on projects with classmates or start your initiatives. Network with professionals in the innovation field through LinkedIn or networking events. Stay updated on industry trends and contribute ideas to class discussions. Combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience enhances your innovation skill set.

Hay muchísima formación online incluso gratuita con la que te puedes formar e incluso certificar en metodología de innovación. Es conveniente que pidas consejo y orientación a un mentor o tutor en el área para que te pueda recomendar los itinerarios que puedes seguir para ir avanzando. También puedes seguir otros recursos como podcasts, charlas TED, informes o libros.

I teach in a business college at a university. I require that my students engage outside of the classroom. Many students think they have to hold an officer position to learn leadership. That is not true. Here's what I tell them: Attend a few meetings and volunteer for one manageable project. Take the lead and try to be innovative. Start small. Practice, learn, and make mistakes. So many want to be perfect the first time. Innovation is about trying something new to see what works, not perfectly executing a project. And social entrepreneurship is never perfect because it involves human beings. This is a place where perfect is the enemy of good. Just get out there and try for something good. You'll get better with time and experience.

Participar como voluntario en un programa de innovación social es una forma maravillosa de adquirir las competencias en innovación a la vez que aportas tu granito de arena a la solución de problemas sociales. Hay muchos concursos y desafíos en los que puedes participar, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional. Estos desafíos cuentan con un soporte de mentores o expertos y metodologías que te guiarán.

Acquiring knowledge alone is one of my greatest and most exciting hobbies. Books about starting up or coaching, anything that goes in the direction of self-employment. Great mentors here would be Gary V and Alex Hormozi. My LinkedIn journey alone inspires me to break new ground. But exchanging ideas with friends and like-minded people and thinking about concepts also motivates you to keep going. So keep going, every small step is a step in the right direction. If you learn to love the process, there is never an end and every challenge, no matter how big, is still positive.

Seeking mentorship and coaching is a strategic approach to gaining business innovation experience while in school. A mentor can provide insights based on their real-world experience, helping you navigate challenges and make informed decisions in the realm of business innovation. Mentors often have extensive networks in the industry. Through mentorship, you gain access to valuable connections, potentially opening doors to internships, collaborations, and other opportunities. A mentor can offer personalized feedback on your ideas and projects. This constructive criticism is crucial for refining your approach and enhancing the quality of your innovative work. Mentorship and coaching is always a good strategy for gaining experience.

Participate in entrepreneurship programs or clubs at your school. These often offer opportunities to work on innovative projects, develop business ideas, and understand the process of bringing new concepts to fruition. You may also wish to consider participating in hackathons, innovation challenges, or business competitions. These events encourage creative problem-solving and innovative thinking, offering a chance to develop and pitch new ideas. You could also collaborate with staff or join a research group focusing on business innovation. Engaging in research projects allows you to explore cutting-edge concepts and apply innovative thinking to real-world problems. You could also start your own business online leveraging ai ;)

Many students feel timid in approaching companies due to lack of expertise and experience. However, students bring innovative insights to the business. I actually worked a whole semester in Paris - in a Chamber of commerce; assisting entrepreneurs, starts and SMEs in Great Britain and France with market research, competitor analysis and business development instead of being exchange student. During those six months I was able to apply knowledge gained from 18 months into my bachelor degree into practice. I wrote a paper at the end of the work placement; and was able to be a little bit wiser. There are many ways to gain experience; and I believe learning-by-doing is the best way to gain experience and expertise.

Desarrollar una mentalidad innovadora vía a ser muy valioso para el futuro de cualquier estudiante. Por ello es conveniente que busques cursos de innovación en tus estudios, participes en clubes o desafíos de innovación, hagas cursos o accedas a materiales sobre creatividad o innovación. Al fin y al cabo es incorporar nuevas formas de pensar y de solucionar problemas que vana ser un activo importante para tu vida personal y profesional.