In recognition of National Entrepreneurship Week, Fresno State is running additional events this week to bring out the entrepreneur in all students, regardless of major.
The events, which run through Friday, range from app design and franchising, to résumé writing and prospecting. Organized by the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the 11 workshops and discussions offered are part of the wider Entrepreneurship Skill Development Series held throughout the entire spring semester.
Rather than being directed solely toward business students, Dr. Eric Liguori, assistant director of the Lyles Center and entrepreneurship professor at Fresno State, said the program has had “a ton of traction from different students across campus.”
“It’s certainly not geared toward business students by any means,” Liguori said. “It’s open for anyone trying to do entrepreneurship.”
While it’s predominantly business students, the program has reached out successfully to students from other majors, such as engineering and fashion merchandising.
Rather than catering to those with business knowledge and ability, Liguori said the aim of the series was “building out skill sets.”
Connor Alstrom, president of Fresno State’s Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization, said the program can “immerse you in different experiences you may look out for, but not have.”
“What the whole entire series is meant to do is bring different aspects that maybe aren’t taught in the classroom or people aren’t going to get the experience in their college,” Alstrom said.
Using the example of a student selling their own product, Alstrom said they still have opportunities to learn the ropes without being a business major. Whether a workshop about sales skills, product design or planning, the idea of the series is variety.
In addition to a range of topics, the series has diversity in speakers. Throughout the semester, students can hear speakers from both near and far, from places such as Los Angeles, Berkeley, Wisconsin and Canada.
The highlight speaker for National Entrepreneurship Week is Greg Horn, the co-founder and CEO of Gigawatt, a company that launches “blitz fundraising” campaigns in 24 hours for organizations. Horn will be speaking at 3:30 p.m. today in the Peters Education Center.
While some events are larger, students are encouraged to register due to demand for workshop spaces. Most activities can host 20 to 30 people, but events can range in capacity from under 10, up to 300. Students can register online at www.fresnostate.edu/academics/lylescenter/.