Faced with a difficult job market and employers demanding more than a traditional skill set, entrepreneurial programs at colleges and universities have more value than ever, students, professors and officials say.
Dozens of student-founded companies take part in business incubators, accelerators and challenges organized by schools, including Harvard University, Emerson College and Babson College.
"I know I would not be this far without the program," said Emerson College senior Jon Allen, winner of this year's E3 Expo at Emerson. Allen is getting ready to launch his line of natural Shirley Temples.
Allen, like many who go through accelerator programs, started with an idea for a business and spent the next two semesters fine-tuning and perfecting it. While improving the business plan, the budding entrepreneurs get exposure to professionals who are able to offer advice about key business skills, such as marketing, presenting to investors and legal issues.
For many involved in these programs, the skills learned are just as important as any potential money students can win.
"It's this concept of getting direct and relatively easy access to resources they need," said Andrew Corbett, faculty director of John E. & Alice L. Butler Venture Accelerator program at Babson College.
"Even people that don't win end up doing great things," said Paul Bottino, founder and executive director of Harvard's I3 challenge.
James DiSabatino, owner of the Roxy's Grilled Cheese food truck in Boston, went through the E3 program when he was an Emerson student, but with a different business idea. Through the program, he figured out that his idea — an environmentally focused shuttle company — was not viable.
"That was the learning experience I needed," he said. "It helped me make those really essential mistakes first."
Sara Gragnolati of Boston was in Babson's accelerator program while pursuing her MBA and launched her soon-to-expand gluten-free food company Cocomama thanks to the program. She said the best part of the program was being surrounded by others who were also trying to start a business.
"When you're looking at and evaluating other business, it also teaches you about your own" she said. "You know people are giving you feedback because they want to help you."
Many students and professors recognize that a new kind of skill set is necessary post-graduation, regardless of the kind of job.
"The reality of working has changed," said Karl Baehr, director of the E3 program. "If you're going to prepare a student for a career today, they have to learn how to think entrepreneurially about their career."
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