The first day you walk into a non-traditional classroom, where students can range in age from early 20 something to here in Arkansas, I’m over the age of 65 and can take classes “free”, the first thing you notice are the students your age. They are the ones with age lines and battle scars. They have a jaded perspective on the world. They are as often to challenge what you say with a look as they are with a question.
The second thing you notice is youthful fidgeting. You are not quite sure why they are there, if they really want to be there, or how talented they might be. Are they contributors or detractors?
Then you notice the exuberance crowd. Some semesters it might be one or two, and in others, it could be a good handful. Are they bright or just hyper? Are they really into the subject matter or are they trying to make “grade impressions”? Is this where the potential entrepreneur will come from?
It’s interesting, the unnoticed, quiet back bencher (a British term referring to a new member of parliament’s physical seat in the chamber), approaches half-way through the semester and shares a compelling entrepreneurial endeavor he has been working on for some time.
In reality the student entrepreneur can come from any of these groups. How do you reach or motivate such a diverse selection of talent to aspire to their entrepreneurial potential? How do you balance the majority of the class that might be there solely to complete an elective, or worse, it’s a required course they have little or no interest in? In a devious mindset, there is always the opportunity for converts….
I’m not sure where this blog will wind but I will share thoughts and perspectives from the classroom, research, my startup ventures, and other “fascinating” aspects of my professional life. Or possibly, even a brief look into the personal side. Thanks for reading. Come back often.
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