Top Resources for Future Entrepreneurship Professionals

Understanding Accreditation

As you look for an entrepreneurship degree program, it is important to consider accreditation. Every college and university has the ability to become accredited. This means an accrediting body has evaluated the institution and determined that it meets certain industry standards. The process generally involves visiting the school, reviewing coursework, and interviewing faculty.

While most colleges and universities are regionally accredited by one of the six regional accreditation agencies, institutional departments and individual programs may also become accredited. For best results, look for a business school, department, or entrepreneurship bachelor's program that is accredited by one of the following agencies:

Accreditation is not mandatory, but attending an unaccredited college or university may significantly limit your ability to transfer credits, qualify for further education, and/or find professional employment.

Questions About Financial Aid

Paying for an entrepreneurship degree can seem like a daunting task, especially right out of high school. The cost of higher education is substantial, however, even for working professionals. Fortunately, there are financial aid options available to help limit this fiscal burden. With proper college planning, you may be able to offset some monetary responsibility with financial aid. The main types of aid available are: scholarships, grants, work study, and loans. Depending on the specific award, aid money can be used to pay for tuition, fees, room, board, and/or books.

Scholarships

Scholarships are the best kind of aid because the money awarded does not have to be paid back. These funds are generally provided by individuals or private organizations and can range from a few hundred dollars to a full ride. Applicants may be assessed on academic performance, athletic ability, religious affiliation, career goals, and race. You can apply for and receive multiple business scholarships at a time.

Grants

Similar to scholarships, grants do not require repayment. This type of funding may be provided by state governments, the federal government, or an institution itself. Awards can be merit-based, need-based, career-specific, or student-specific.

Work Study

Work study programs allow students to earn money while working in a federally funded job on campus. These funds are intended to assist with education-related expenses, but can be used as needed.

Loans

Students may also take out a federal or private loan to cover higher education expenses. Unlike scholarships, grants, and work study, loan recipients must pay the borrowed amount (plus interest) back over time. Most students prefer federal loans due to lower interest rates, but private loans are often available through banks and credit unions.

Many colleges and universities offer government-funded aid programs. Prospective students are encouraged to submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application to determine the amount of aid they qualify for each year.

Entrepreneur Associations for Students

Students working towards entrepreneur degrees should strongly consider joining one or more entrepreneurial associations. While groups like this are generally seen as meant for professionals, there are numerous organizations that cater to students interested in entrepreneurship as well. Some professional associations also have divisions specifically intended for emerging entrepreneurs.

Membership often offers a wide variety of benefits. While these benefits can vary significantly, most association members gain access to a multitude of resources including training, certification, conferences, and networking opportunities. Some associations even offer scholarships for student members.

Some of the most prominent entrepreneur associations for students include:

Student or Open Access Journals

No matter what industry you are interested in, it’s a good idea to read professional journals. These publications focus on the research and theory that support effective practice. While some professional journals require a paid subscription, there are many available to students for free. There are also numerous open access journals available, which do not require a subscription.

Taking time to read published articles is one of the easiest ways to stay informed about your field. Over time, you will gain a better understanding of how, who, and what is happening, as well as how it may pertain to you and your work. The best professionals let field-relevant research inform their actions in the business world.

Entrepreneur Study Resources

Entrepreneurs often have a long and varied list of responsibilities, especially when building or expanding upon a company with limited manpower. Often, the best way to save money during important transitional periods is to perform the necessary tasks yourself. Learning new skills can be expensive, however, which is why many entrepreneurs seek out less costly alternatives. Fortunately, there are numerous free, high-quality, educational resources available online. These resources can help you develop and hone the necessary skills to excel in your academic and professional pursuits.

Apps

Starting, maintaining, and growing a business has never been easier than it is today. Technology is constantly evolving, producing ground-breaking applications that have huge implications for entrepreneur students and professionals. There are countless apps available specifically designed to help you perform extensive research, gather resources, maintain communications, build a brand, reach clients, and manage finances.

If you need to complete a certain task for school or for your start-up, it is likely an application already exists to make the process easier. This is especially good news for entrepreneurs, who often juggle numerous responsibilities at one time. While technology may be unable to make a day last longer, there are now tools available that allow you to get more done in less time and with less effort.

The following apps may be beneficial to students interested in building a business, managing a project, or communicating within a network:

Entrepreneur Certification Options

Many colleges and universities offer entrepreneurial certificate programs for individuals interested in furthering their education. Certificates broaden professional experience and help deepen understanding of specific topics in business.

Appropriate for both students and seasoned professionals, certificate courses offer an opportunity to develop and hone the skills necessary to start, manage, and improve a business. Emphasis is often placed on critical thinking and advanced communication, as these abilities can help entrepreneurs adjust company tactics in response to an ever-changing economic climate. While curriculums vary, most cover management, finance, basic accounting, and marketing. It is also common for instruction to include dealing with culturally and intellectually diverse clientele, partners, and investors.

Those who manage their own business already may seek an entrepreneurial certificate to demonstrate expertise. Many find certificates beneficial when looking for investors, who are often more confident in well-educated and experienced company managers. This can be much more cost and time effective than pursuing a four-year degree in entrepreneurship.

It is important to realize that some entrepreneurial certificate programs may have admittance prerequisites. Some prestigious programs do require applicants to have a prior degree in business or a related field.

The following are examples of the various entrepreneurial certificates available:

Professional Entrepreneurial Associations

While joining an entrepreneurial association as a student is recommended, this step is even more important for professionals. This is especially true for those who own and/or manage their own companies. In addition to membership discounts and job resources, there are many benefits associated with joining an association as a professional.

Unlike students, individuals already actively in the workforce often depend on associations and organizations for continuing education. Policies and practices are constantly evolving and it is imperative that you remain up-to-date. Reading journals, attending conferences, and participating in training is how you and your business will remain relevant in an ever-changing world.

Entrepreneurs also benefit extensively from networking. Connecting with other business owners within your industry is a great way to broaden your reach and increase your profitability over time.

Some of the most prominent entrepreneurial associations for professionals include:

Popular Entrepreneur Journals

As an entrepreneur, staying relevant in your industry is essential. One of the best ways to achieve this is by subscribing to and reading professional journals on a regular basis. Publications will help keep you informed regarding policy changes, upcoming events, prominent trends, helpful resources, and new technology.

Some of the most prominent entrepreneur journals are available through professional associations. In many cases, members gain exclusive access to extensive publication databases. While most associations charge yearly membership fees, the cost is nominal and there other benefits generally more than make up for the expense.

Conferences for Entrepreneurial Professionals

Another great way to stay updated as an entrepreneur is to attend professional conferences. Each year, there are hundreds of small business and entrepreneurship conferences hosted throughout the world. These events are often reasonably priced (or free) and offer attendees a wide variety of developmental opportunities.

While every conference is different, most provide educational workshops, keynote presentations, and networking opportunities. Additional benefits of attending include expanding your entrepreneurial knowledge, finding solutions to problems, presenting your ideas to others, promoting your brand, and learning beyond your field. Many professionals also find these events helpful because they often encounter new vendors and/or suppliers who can help with business growth and efficiency.