Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management Sequence
The entrepreneurship and small business management sequence offers a unique learning experience to students who aspire to start businesses or obtain employment in growth-oriented small businesses. (The United States Small Business Administration defines a small business as one with fewer than 500 employees). The sequence will help students identify career options in small business, expand their knowledge of entrepreneurship, and develop venture management skills and techniques.
Careers
The entrepreneurship and small business management sequence prepares students to perform a wide variety of functions in small business organizations and/or to prepare to create and manage their own business. Students will develop the skills needed in order to succeed in the business world, both as an employee and as an entrepreneur.
Curriculum
Coursework provides theoretical, experiential, and practical information about starting, operating, and managing small firms and the very important role they play in today’s society. The opportunity to apply that information is provided to students through the consulting class in which they provide consulting services to area businesses.
Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies
The Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies has a two-fold purpose. First, it provides business students an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to real world situations. Second, the program provides management counseling to members of the small business community at little or no cost. Therefore, both the business community and the Illinois State student will gain from interaction with the other.
Advisory Board
The Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies is fortunate to have the assistance of a strong and active advisory board composed of area business people with true entrepreneurial spirit. The board serves in an advisory capacity to the president of Illinois State University, the dean of the College of Business, and the director of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies to help create a quality program of practical study in this academic area.
Faculty
Faculty participating in this sequence combine strong academic backgrounds with extensive consulting experience in entrepreneurship and small business management. The fundamental philosophy of those teaching in this area is that students learn best through application. Therefore, the classes are project-oriented and interactive with real companies.
Internships
During the fall, spring, and summer semesters, majors in entrepreneurship and small business management may participate in the internship program within the Department of Management and Quantitative Methods. As interns, students earn academic credit while working in organizations on a variety of assignments and projects.
Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO)
Entrepreneurship majors may also participate in the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization. The purpose of CEO is to inform, support, and inspire college students to be entrepreneurial and seek opportunity through enterprise creation. Students will gain valuable experience through field trips, small business speakers, charitable works, and social activities.
