Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting the Top 14 of 2014 at UP: everything from January’s “snowpocalypse” to summer internships to our highlight of today, the Entrepreneur Scholars program!
College is an exciting time of learning, growing and exploring who we hope to be. For some lucky folks, their UP experience also includes something special: the Entrepreneur Scholars Program. This program offers students the opportunity to guide a business idea from creation to implementation. Students meet with top experts in their field and travel both nationally and internationally.
This year, the Entrepreneur Scholars had a chance to visit New York, Denver, Dubai and even Abu Dhabi (UAE). Here’s an inside look into what it’s like to be a part of the program:
NATE BROWN
Major: Computer Science
Year: Senior
What made you decide to do the Entrepreneur Scholars program?
I decided to do the Entrepreneur Scholars program because I wanted to take some business classes but didn’t have enough room in my schedule to take classes for a business minor. Being a computer science major, knowing more about how the business world works would be an invaluable asset in case I ever decide to open my own tech startup.
Where did you travel?
In the fall, we went to New York and then Denver in February. For Spring Break, my group travelled to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, while the other half of the program traveled to Beijing and Shanghai.
Favorite part of your Entrepreneur Scholars experience:
My favorite part of the program was the travel and the friends I made. The travel itself was awesome, but it was a lot of fun to hang out with a new group of people and have everyone get along so well.
FATIMA RUIZ VILLATORO
Major: Engineering Management + Spanish
Year: Senior
What made you decide to do the Entrepreneur Scholars program?
I initially got involved in the Entrepreneurship Club when I was a freshman and wanted to learn more about how business got started. I thought I would pursue the program to have a hands on experience.
Where did you travel?
During the program I went to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the international trip. We also traveled to New York City and Denver.
Favorite part of your Entrepreneur Scholars experience:
The program primarily teaches you to step out of your comfort zone. You will be given the dates for your trips and it will be up to you to plan your individual meetings. You’re the one that has to reach out to people in different cities and in another country, sometimes you even have to overcome a language barrier. I really liked that the program allowed me to use lots of different skills to have successful meetings.
What advice would you give to students who are considering the program?
This a great program for people of different academic backgrounds, you don’t need to be a business major to be part of it. It is a lot of work, but it is not at all like any of the rest of your classes. At the end of the program you come out with long lasting relationships with professors, fellow students, mentors, and people worldwide that share the same interests that you do.
The Entrepreneur Scholars Program is open to rising juniors and seniors. To learn more, visit the Entrepreneurs Scholar Program page: http://business.up.edu/default.aspx?cid=2448&pid=456.