Enterprise and self-employment
Full of good ideas? Like to make things happen? Employers want your enterprising attitude and approach! Or maybe you want to be your own boss? Then read on.
About 2% of UK graduates decide to become their own boss directly after graduation, but there are many more graduates who aspire to own their own business in the longer term and choose to gain experience in related sectors first.
Getting involved in enterprise activities at University is therefore not just about starting your own business. It is also about developing and enhancing your creativity and innovation skills, something which many graduate employers ask for. Gaining these skills can help you stand out from the crowd when starting in the world of work, irrespective of whether you will be working for yourself or an employer. We are here to help you develop these skills.
Speak to somebody about enterprise and self-employment
Here at the University we have a number of people who can help, depending upon how developed your idea is and how far you have taken your business.
Don't know where to start?
For a discussion of how to develop your idea into a viable proposition and the workshops which may be helpful, book an appointment with Dr Laura Bonner from Employability and Graduate Development through My Career Zone. or by emailing enterprise@exeter.ac.uk. Laura also runs drop-in sessions in the Career Zone in the Forum at the Enterprise and self-employment desk on every Monday between 2-4pm.
Want to test out your great business idea?
Talk to Louise Rose from the Students' Guild who can provide information on business plan competitions, enterprise fairs and other events planned just for you. You can get in touch with Louise by emailing c.l.rose@exeter.ac.uk. Click here for a list of national and international competitions and funding awards.
Got a great idea but need help funding it?
Get in touch with our Entrepreneur-in-residence, Matthew Rusk, who can provide advice on what is on offer from the University's business acceleration centre, the Innovation Centre. Matthew is also able to provide information on the University's SETsquared Partnership with the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey. You can contact Matthew via email at seir@spaceforsuccess.co.uk. Alternatively, Matthew also runs drop-in sessions in the Career Zone every Monday 10am-2pm, Wednesday 1-5pm and Thursday 10am-4pm.
If you are a postgraduate research student, early career researcher or other academic member of staff at the University of Exeter...
- Research students can learn how to develop knowledge transfer relationships with businesses through the Researcher Development Programme and Research Knowledge Transfer.
- Early career researchers can learn about entrepreneurial practice during a two-day Entrepreneurial Practice course.
- Academic staff can find out about the various ways in which they can embed enterprise in the curriculum by contacting enterprise@exeter.ac.uk.
- Entrepreneurial alumni can attend Alumni Business Starter Clinics and play a part in the provision of enterprise and entrepreneurship to current students through a number of initiatives. If you would like to learn more about these, please contact enterprise@exeter.ac.uk.
