Deciding on a Career Path to Become an Entrepreneur

There are a number of reasons why you may want to own your own business.  These reasons may be different for each person.  For example, some individuals may want to be in control of their work life.  Others may want to continue the family business, or they may have discovered a business niche and feel a desire to market this idea.

Whatever reason you may have it is important to fully understand yourself and your goals.  Although there is not a firm template to determine whether or not you could succeed as a business owner, there are some similar qualities in most successful entrepreneurs.  Some of the steps that are useful in making good career decisions are:

What are you good at?  It is important to look at your skills or what skills you might need to acquire to own a successful business.

What are your work values?  This is often overlooked when people think about careers.  However, what you value in a work situation can mean the difference between finding the right fit and starting down a career path that may not lead to success.

What is your personality type?  People generally enjoy working around people who are similar to them.  Entrepreneurs tend to have similar personality types, although there are exceptions.

What are your interests?  You may not know the type of business you want to own, but being aware of your likes and dislikes can help determine your career path.  Often, your hobbies and interests can become a part of your career.

Learn more about Entrepreneurship by doing the following:

·         Go on informational interviews and talk to people in businesses that you are considering for yourself

·         Work for a small business while you are in school (internship)

·         Try out part-time retailing on eBay, or start a small business of your own

·         Get involved with networking activities and workshops, or student entrepreneur clubs

·         Volunteer at an organization or agency that interests you

Search out more information by visiting specific sites:

U.S. Small Business Administration – www.sba.gov

Kauffman Foundation – www.eventuring.org

SCORE (Service Corps. Of Retired Executives) – www.score.org

BizInfoLibraary – www.bizinfolibrary.com

Entrepreneurship magazine websites:

Entrepreneur – www.entrepreneur.com

Inc. – www.inc.com

Fast Company – www.fastcompany.com

Young entrepreneur focused websites:

Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization – www.c-e-o.org

Global Student Entrepreneur Awards – www.gsea.org

Students in Free Enterprise – www.sife.org

Young Money – www.youngmoney.com

For a global look at entrepreneurship, check out:

Global Entrepreneurship Monitor – www.gemconsortium.org/about.asp

Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship Development Worldwide – www.enterweb.org/entrship.htm