Have you ever had a great idea and wanted to pursue it? Or maybe a light bulb moment on how you could improve a process or a product? If so, studying entrepreneurship may be the first bold step to turning your idea into a reality.
What is an entrepreneur?
From thinking up new business ideas to creating new products, services or processes, an entrepreneur is someone willing to take a single thought and turn it into something valuable that people and society need and want.
What’s the difference between an entrepreneur and a small business owner?
The main difference comes down to scope. Entrepreneurs have big dreams of turning adversity in an opportunity that can be scaled to meet the needs and wants of people across the globe – they think big picture all the time. On the other hand, small business owners tend to be focused on day-to-day transactions.
What type of career can you pursue if you study entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship is an ever-evolving career; on any day you could be thinking up new processes to build a more sufficient business, or creating a new product to meet the needs of society. Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to think critically and creatively and solve problems in a range of business settings.
So where could your study take you? You might take on roles such as:
- Entrepreneur: create, design and launch a business from the ground up.
- Intrapreneur: be a manager or employee within a company who promotes new product development.
What skills do you need for a career in entrepreneurship?
While we can teach you the foundation skills needed to thrive in the world of entrepreneurship, the most important skills you will need is passion, determination and a drive to succeed. Depending on the entrepreneur career you want to pursue, you might also need:
- Networking skills: growing a network is paramount for facilitating opportunities for your business or idea.
- Strategic and critical thinking: learning to decompose issues to reveal opportunities for business growth.
- Excellent communication skills: clear and concise communication is essential when dealing with clients, business prospects and peers.
- High-level agile management skills: prioritising and planning are important skills to ensure you’re on the right track towards business and personal progress.
How do you prepare for your entrepreneur career while at uni?
Building a CV whilst studying is key to kickstarting your career while at Uni. It will allow you to stand out from the crowd and draw on real-world experiences when the time comes to apply for your first job or start that business idea you’ve been dreaming of. Studying entrepreneurship at Murdoch opens the door to numerous industries and contacts.
If you’re after a head start, you might like to:
- Take on an internship by completing a Work Integrated Learning unit where you will gain experience working on real-world projects with real companies as part of your studies.
- Join professional networks and build valuable connections through our academics and their close relationships with industry leaders.
- Book a session with our in-residence Entrepreneur.
- Take advantage of Launchpad, where you can connect, collaborate and create with local business and industry.
- Find paid opportunities to gain experience during winter and summer vacation breaks.
- Take on volunteer work, such as helping a not-for-profit organisation or a relevant community group.