How to be a successful entrepreneur when still in college

Colleges are considered to be the mecca of innovation and knowledge where newer ideas spring every day and when nurtured can result into successful brands. The number of resources that are instantly accessible puts you in a better position to start a business. There are numerous examples of successful companies that were started in college dorms including the likes of Facebook, Google and Apple. Though it is no easy task to shuffle between college education and business, it is not an impossible task either. The best thing to do for being a college entrepreneur is to leverage education to meet your business cause.

Here’s how you can make the most of your education while starting a business.

• Take Internships

The primary motive behind taking internships should be to acquire skills that are needed to start your own business. Take as many internships as you can and get to know the market for your idea. The opportunity of working with various organizations will give you an insight into how different companies operate and work. This understanding will help you in getting started and staying on course in the right direction.

• Find a Mentor

Mentors are vital in streamlining your thoughts and aligning them with your goals. A mentor can be anyone who has an understanding of what you want to pursue in your entrepreneurial stint. Usually professors turn out to be extremely good mentors since they are in constant touch with students throughout the college years. Take out time and discuss your idea with your professor. Chances are that your professor can turn into a wonderful guide or in some cases connect you with other notable alumni who shares the same vision as you. This in itself ensures that half your job is done.

• Connect with Alumni Networks

The old students of your college are a wonderful resource that usually remains untapped. Reach out to them through alumni networks and make a connection. Better still, you can send them an email with your proposal for combining talent and working together. There is nothing more touching for an alumnus than receiving an .edu mail from his/her college junior. You can definitely expect reverts for your mail with good probability of future collaboration.

• Join E-cell and Other Biz Groups

Joining Entrepreneurship-cell and other business groups are extremely helpful if you would love to pursue your passion while in college. Being a part of entrepreneurship cell will cultivate the habit of creative thinking in you. You will have the chance to pitch your ideas and get real-time feedback from similar aspiring entrepreneurs. Being a part of business groups will give you the opportunity to attend various business meets and get interesting ideas that can be added to your own existing list of ideas.

• Participate in Entrepreneurship Competitions

Test your ideas and get public opinions for the same by taking part in various entrepreneurship competitions. You can validate the potential of your business plan and get an insight into the availability of a market for your idea. Though only a handful of the business plans that are presented in entrepreneurship competitions get pursued beyond the planning stage, this is an important exercise to refine your ideas and come up with a final plan to take forward. Incubators and Accelerators are often called as jury to such competitions which again can help you get that financial thrust.

Pursuing entrepreneurship in college can seem a little tricky but is entirely doable. A strong belief in your ideas and courage to turn them into reality will be the key differentiating factor that ensures success. Be sure to make use of all college resources and the cushion to experiment with things to your full advantage. Be prepared to