GUEST POST – An Education in Entrepreneurship (Babson Style) by Eric Shooman

When I threw my cap in the air at my 2004 college graduation I made myself a promise; I promised myself I would NEVER go back to school!!!  Well now it’s 2008 and I broke my promise. I am proud to call myself a MBA candidate at the #1 Graduate Entrepreneurship Program in the country, as ranked by the U.S. News and World Reports.  Babson’s entrepreneurial resources, diverse student body, and unique offerings make it the best entrepreneurship program in the world.

Entrepreneurial Resources

I cannot do justice for all of the resources Babson offers, but a short list includes: a top notch library, world class entrepreneur professors, over thirty student organizations (each specializing in a different area of entrepreneurship), active alumni, the Babson Executive Center, the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship, guest speakers (including Mike Michalowicz), and the Babson Business Journal.  I’ve networked with both professors and alumni; initiating contact with nothing more than a cold e-mail and I have a response rate of over 50 percent.  I’ve also entered competitions held by the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship named after Babson Alum and the Owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Founder of Home Depot.  The entrepreneurial resources Babson offers are immense, and as I stated earlier I cannot do them justice in a short blog, visit the schools website to learn more, www.Babson.edu.

Diverse Student Body

At first I noticed the physical diversity of my Babson peers, but quickly became aware of the professional diversity of the student body.   The intellectual and professional diversity of my classmates amazes me; and their professional accomplishments humble me.  For example, my last group project consisted of a Christian American, A Jewish American, a Muslim Pakistani, and a Hindu Indian.  How cool is that?!?!? But what’s even cooler is that the group consisted of a Systems Analyst, a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep, a Software Engineer, and a former Professional Baseball Player.  I easily learn as much about entrepreneurial thinking from my groups as I do from the professors.  What’s also great is that I could audition my group members as possible entrepreneurial partners and/or resources, all while in the classroom.  I’ve explored multiple entrepreneurial ventures with past group members.  Their diverse perspectives and experiences add value to most entrepreneurial ventures.

Unique Offerings

Babson is not your average Business School it offers unique opportunities that shape entrepreneurs.  For example, this year I am partnering with a group of students from a top engineering college to research and develop an emerging technology for a Fortune 100 company.  The Fortune 100 company funds the project, the engineering students create the technology, and I research and write the market analysis report, business proposals, and a business plan.  The program is advised by two engineering professors, a business professor, and top management at the Fortune 100 company.  I am basically working with a team to create a technology, figure out how to bring it to market (pretty much starting a company), and I’m earning credit!  This is only one example of the many unique offerings at Babson.

I hope I’m not coming off as a salesman boasting too much about Babson’s greatness, but I am passionate about entrepreneurship and Babson’s contribution to entrepreneurship.  As passionate that I am about Babson, it’s definitely not for everyone; I am passionate about entrepreneurship so it was a no-brainer to attend (Babson was actually the only program I applied to).  If you’re passionate about entrepreneurship and want to further your education the answer does not have to be Babson (even though it’s the best in my opinion); you have to find the right program and fit for you.  You should treat choosing a Business School program like a business decision; identify your needs, perform due diligence (you must interview past or present students!), apply to the program, and if accepted apply yourself to the program.

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Want to learn more about Eric Shooman?  Check out his site at www.TheBostonEntrepreneur.com.

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Tags: babson, college entrepreneur, entrepreneur degree, eric shooman

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