Undergraduate Students

Exploring Careers

Career Paths in Entrepreneurship

General Description

An entrepreneur is a self-starter with a vision, one who realizes his/her vision by starting his/her own business. Today, entrepreneurship is the driving force behind innovation and growth in the global economy. It is the engine by which new ideas, novel approaches, and advanced technologies are continuously introduced into businesses and the marketplace.

In today’s economy of rapid technological change and mounting global competition, it is essential to nurture the spirit of entrepreneurship. For this reason, Smith school students have access to two of the leading entrepreneurship programs in the nation, the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship and the Hinman Campus Entrepreneurship Opportunities (CEOs).

Coursework at Smith provides the basic foundation in all areas of business, employing students with the necessary skills to venture into self-employment. Whether you are majoring in finance, accounting, marketing, general business, etc., entrepreneurship could be the career path for you – all it takes is one great idea! Some well-known Maryland entrepreneurs include Seregey Brin of Google and Kevin Plank of Under Armour Performance Apparel.

Skills Needed

Every entrepreneurship opportunity is unique by nature; however, the following are skills needed for any entrepreneur:

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Exceptional drive and commitment
  • Broad business acumen
  • Strong networking skills (you can’t do it all yourself)
  • A solid business plan
  • Critical and creative thinking skills

Resources for Further Research

UMD Resources

Dingman Center, www.rhsmith.umd.edu/dingman

  • Students who are just starting out with an idea are encouraged to pitch that idea to the Dingman Center during one of the many “pitch Dingman” events. The Dingman Center can help you to develop your idea, write a business plan, organize campus volunteers to help jump-start your business, and potentially find funding to get your business off to a healthy start.

  • Students already running your own business and would like help in making it grow, the Dingman Center can help there too. They can help you find campus volunteers to support your business, funding to pursue your growth strategy, and a mentor who can guide you to make your business a success.

Hinman CEO Program, www.hinmanceos.umd.edu

  • Undergraduate business students can also apply to the Hinman CEOs, a unique and award-winning living-learning program housed in an exclusive, apartment-style residence hall designed to encourage the exchange of ideas among the CEOs and with experts outside of the university. Seminars by experts in company formation and by successful entrepreneurs are held to educate and inspire the CEOs. Mentoring is provided by experts in business, legal, technological, and other fields important to entrepreneurs.

Online Resources

Print Resources

  • Vault Career Guide to Venture Capital

  • Vault Guide to Starting Your Own Business

  • The Directory of Venture Capital Firms

  • Starting and Operating a Business in Maryland