It’s not unusual to hear a liberal arts student say, “Wouldn’t it be great if I could make money doing what I love?” But the logistics of launching a business — from starting a portfolio to developing a marketing plan — can make the very notion of embarking on a new venture seem downright intimidating.
To help liberal arts students turn their dreams into a reality, Kate Brooks, director of Liberal Arts Career Services, and Robert Vega, assistant director of Liberal Arts Career Services, created “The Liberal Arts Entrepreneur,” an interactive three-hour course that helps students apply their liberal arts education and life experiences to their entrepreneurial interests.
As for the nuts and bolts of business, that’s the easy part to teach, Brooks says. It’s the passion, the enthusiasm and the creativity that can’t be taught. Since liberal arts students already have those qualities, they’re at the best position for starting a business, she says.
“My theory has always been that liberal arts students make the best entrepreneurs,” Brooks says. “They’re already ahead of the game because they’re open-minded, creative, flexible and have a passion for what they want to accomplish.”
History senior Henry Hedges is just the type of entrepreneurial liberal arts student Brooks hopes can benefit from the course. Together with his sister, who graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with an English degree in 2008, Hedges runs a gourmet marshmallow business called SugaPuff Confections.
He actually received an email announcing the “Liberal Arts Entrepreneur” course the day after his culinary-inclined sister declared her mission to start the company.
“This class gave me a better idea of what I should focus on in this business partnership,” Hedges says. “I found that I have a knack for planning, creativity and ingenuity, so it makes sense for me to take over the branding and marketing side of this business.”
With their combined talents, Hedges believes their partnership is the perfect recipe for sweet entrepreneurial success.
Read more about Liberal Arts Entrepreneurs.
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