If you had the chance to earn college credit and gain entrepreneurial experience in your chosen field of study, all at the same time, would you do it?
Lorain County Community College students have that opportunity thanks to the Innovation Fund Experiential Education program. “The focus,” said Marcia Jones, LCCC Work Based Learning Coordinator, “is specifically on learning what it is to be an entrepreneur. To study the realities and the skills and the qualities that are necessary to be successful.”
The IF Education Experience is brand new. Ashley Frantz is the program’s first intern. She is a marketing student serving a paid internship with Wireless Environment. The company is an Innovation Fund Award winner. Wireless Environment is a leading innovator and industry pioneer in the invention, design and manufacturing of efficient, long-lasting light bulbs. Wireless is one of six IF honorees that will be providing internships for LCCC students. “We are very much in our infancy.” said Jones of the entrepreneurship program. “I would love to see every division on campus provide an avenue for students to learn about entrepreneurism,” she added.
The program also requires the IF company to mentor, guest speak in classes on campus and work with small groups of students on case studies focused on topics of entrepreneurism and start-up businesses. “It is our hope,” said Jones, “that this program will help our faculty incorporate entrepreneurism into their course curriculum, regardless of the field of study, because the whole notion of entrepreneurism is critical in any work environment today.”
If you are interested in this internship program, please visit Work-Based Learning and contact Marcia Jones. If you are interested in the Innovation Fund please visit Innovation Fund.