Enterprise isn’t just about being the next Alan Sugar (although you might want to be – and that’s great!) Sure, if you look up enterprise in the dictionary you’ll see:
Enterprise is the activity of managing companies and businesses and starting new ones.
But did you know you’ll also see:
Enterprise is the ability to think of new and effective things to do, together with an eagerness to do them.
Enterprise is applying creative ideas and innovations to practical situations – a skill set that will help your career whether you have ambitions of one day running a huge company, becoming a freelancer, or you’re still working out what you’d like to do. And the great news is, there are lots of ways you can start to develop those skills and gain support here at University.
Masood Enterprise Centre
The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) is a great place to start no matter whether you’re already bursting with an idea for your future enterprise, or want to be inspired by creative business minds. Amongst other things they offer:
- Taught enterprise and entrepreneurship elective units: MEC elective units are available for students from any subject background, and allow you to apply your subject knowledge in a commercial context.
- Events and guest speakers throughout the year: Later this month, you’ll be able to join the Entrepreneurs@Manchester online event on 12 November, and She’s the Business 2020 on Thursday 19 November.
- Start-up support: MEC provide a package of essential business support activities that are critical at the start of your entrepreneurial journey, from accelerator programmes to 1-1 mentoring and coaching.
- Competitions and awards: MEC run a range of competitions to get your ideas flowing, and funds to help them become a reality.
Enterprise Club
The Careers Service has also started an Enterprise Club for those students who might want to take a different approach to their career. Run via a Facebook group, it’s a chance to connect with like minded students and find out about events they’ll be running.
The Careers Service also has lots of practical advice about working for yourself, including business planning resources and case studies of other students at UoM that have started their own companies.
Manchester Entrepreneurs
One of the largest student societies in the UK, Manchester Entrepreneurs organise a wide range of events and networking opportunities to help you develop the skills and confidence to start up on your own or make connections with existing start-ups. Take a look at their various programmes and events.
Entrepreneurial skills can give you the confidence to try out new ideas, take risks, and explore different opportunities. And all these events and activities are a great way to network and meet people – you might be inspired to start something of your own, work for a start-up or simply take the skills and ace interviews for whatever you chose to do!