Guidelines For Networking Assignments: Objective To Build Yo

Guidelines For Networking Assignmentsobjective To Build Your Rolode

Attend two off-campus professional networking events throughout the semester focused on entrepreneurship, social media/networking, potential investors or partners, technology, etc. Avoid corporate or recruiting events. For each event, write a 2-3 page paper including the event details, purpose, reasons for choosing it, crowd vibe, and 4-5 relevant contacts made, including discussion topics and relevance to entrepreneurship/innovation. Reflect on your experience and surprises. Attach business cards and proof of attendance. Submit in the prescribed format as a Word document.

Select one entrepreneur for a 30-40 minute face-to-face interview. Obtain a business card. Use the provided questions as a pool, but tailor and probe for details. Record notes if not recorded. Write 5-6 pages double-spaced, including an introduction about the interviewee and company, the Q&A with summarized responses, and reflective conclusions on lessons learned and impressions. Attach the interviewee’s business card. Submit via Slack by December 6th per guidelines.

Paper For Above instruction

The assignment requires engaging in experiential networking and interviewing activities aimed at fostering entrepreneurial connections and understanding. The first component involves attending two off-campus events that are concentrated on entrepreneurial topics rather than corporate recruiting, with a focus on building a professional 'rolodex' of contacts. These events might include local Meetup groups, university entrepreneurship events, or industry networking platforms like Gary’s Guide or Under30CEO.

For each event, students must compose a detailed 2-3 page report that identifies the event’s location and date, explains its purpose, reasons for attendance, describes the demographic and atmosphere, and highlights four to five key contacts made, including the substance of discussions and their relevance to innovation and entrepreneurship. Reflection on the overall experience, surprises, and whether the event met expectations should be included. Attachments should comprise business cards collected and verification of attendance, such as photos or event registration confirmation.

The second task involves conducting an in-depth face-to-face interview with a chosen entrepreneur. This interview should last a minimum of 30-40 minutes, with the interviewee’s business card attached as proof. The interview process should include prepared questions from a provided pool, but students are encouraged to probe further, ask personalized questions, and foster a genuine dialogue.

Students must write a comprehensive 5-6 page report, double-spaced, including an introductory paragraph detailing the interviewee’s background, company, and product/service, and contextual details regarding the interview setting. The main body should be structured in a Q&A format, paraphrasing responses while capturing key insights. Concluding reflections should analyze the lessons learned, surprises encountered, how the conversation influenced perceptions of entrepreneurship, and the most valuable advice received.

Overall, the assignment emphasizes purposeful engagement, detailed documentation, reflective analysis, and the ability to personalize the learning experience through real-world interactions. Submissions must adhere to formatting guidelines and be uploaded to Slack by December 6th, ensuring a comprehensive demonstration of entrepreneurial exploration and understanding.

References

  • Duening, T. N., & Katz, J. A. (2018). Entrepreneurship: Starting and Operating a Small Business. Cengage Learning.
  • Hisrich, R. D., Peters, M. P., & Shepherd, D. A. (2020). Entrepreneurship. McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Byrnes, J. P., & Nichols, P. (2019). The Art of Networking: Building Relationships for Career Success. Harvard Business Review.
  • Ginel, M. (2017). The Role of Networking in Entrepreneurial Success. Journal of Small Business Management, 55(3), 414–429.
  • Florida, R. (2014). The Rise of the Creative Class—Revisited. Basic Books.
  • Neumeier, M. (2017). The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design. New Riders.
  • Blank, S. (2013). The Four Steps to the Epiphany. K&S Ranch Publishing LLC.
  • Baron, R. A. (2003). Preference, Judgment, and Entrepreneurial Success. Journal of Business Venturing, 18(1), 143–153.
  • Shane, S. (2004). A General Theory of Entrepreneurship: The Individual-Opportunity Nexus. Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Stevens, M. (2015). Startup Networking Strategies: Connecting with Entrepreneurs and Investors. Entrepreneurial Journal, 8(2), 78–85.

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