Building skills in entrepreneurship is not just for those wanting to start a new venture. In fact, skills such as innovation, risk mitigation, opportunity awareness and collaboration, are valued by many groups, including employers. Entrepreneurship activities at Cambridge are well established, rich, and diverse – there is something for everyone. It is important to highlight that ‘entrepreneurial thinking’ can be applied to anything you are doing (finding new and dynamic ways to complete projects and tasks, streamlining processes). Whilst there is a focus on more specific activities related to those who want to develop their entrepreneurial skills to become an entrepreneur, you can absolutely attend workshops with a mindset of wanting to develop entrepreneurial skills for more traditional career paths. Entrepreneurial thinking is valued by a number of employers.
If you are interested in learning more about your current skills, you can evaluate your skills using the ‘Skills Discovery’ tool, accessible via your CRSID.
Entrepreneurship activities at Cambridge
Whilst at Cambridge you can:
- Become a founder
- Pitch ideas to mentors/peers
- Take part in entrepreneurial competitions
- Take part in entrepreneurial workshops or programmes
- Take part in pitching competitions
Core skill areas developed in Entrepreneurship activities
Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Skills
Presentation, negotiation and influencing skills
Specific skills that can be developed in these core areas:
- Achievement orientation
- Building networks
- Courage and risk taking
- Crafting an inspiring vision
- Drive change and innovation
- Entrepreneurial thinking
- Financial literacy
- Information seeking
- Initiative
- Originality
- Storytelling and public speaking
How to find opportunities in Cambridge
There really are 100s of ways to get involved and build entrepreneurship skills at Cambridge.
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Join the entrepreneurship community ‘IE Cambridge’ to see events and search for support to suit you. IE Cambridge has a directory of support, competitions and groups that champion entrepreneurial activity in Cambridge.
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Learn more about entrepreneurial activities around Cambridge via the Careers Service through their guide to entrepreneurship around Cambridge and their career pages.
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Ask your college about entrepreneur groups, or access those at other colleges (where applicable). Here is an example from King’s College https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/entrepreneurship.
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Attend events, workshops and programmes (or just sign-up to the newsletter!) at the Judge Business School Entrepreneurship Centre.
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Get involved with entrepreneurial societies, such as Cambridge University Entrepreneurs and CUTEC.
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Start a business, charity, or social innovation.
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Turn your research into a venture, via Cambridge Enterprise.
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Work on commercial consulting projects, such as with iTeams.
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Take part in competitions, such as the Climate Challenge via Cambridge Zero.