Undergraduate Step Four: Experiential Learning
I want to put a ding in the universe - Steve Jobs |
Experiential learning is extremely important in helping students prepare for their entrepreneurial journeys. although all five steps are experienced based,three different programs stand apart. The first is CCEW. The CCEW program is described on page 14. The second experiential component is study abroad. We have created a study abroad program specifically for entrepreneurship students. We are exporting two courses and two entrepreneur teachers during the summer for a four-week program. Italy and China are the alternating locations. The first program is scheduled for summer 2009 with 20 students in italy. The program will include corporate visits, guest speakers, six hours of course work, and a cultural and humanities overlay.
Entrepreneurial Field Studies is the third major experiential program. It is a one-semester class taken parallel to the three class sequence. It exposes students to the industry they enter and helps prepare students for the start-up world. this is a practicum course that provides students with opportunities to apply concepts mastered in previous business courses. In the context of work teams, students work as consultants with Oklahoma start-up companies and entrepreneurs to develop comprehensive business plans for new ventures or to assist business persons with problems related to market research, financial management, managerial issues, and other business requirements such as planning expansion or new product development. There is no charge to the company. The students receive valuable experience and the company receives motivated and intelligent hard working students to help launch their business. Through this course, over 650 students have helped to launch 72 new ventures located in the state of Oklahoma.