Although most business schools report that their graduates are actively involved in entrepreneurial activities, all of them do not have specialized programs and resources for future entrepreneurs. So if you want to start your own business after b-school, the Clear Admit Career Guide to Entrepreneurship provides a detailed overview of the nineteen most active, vibrant programs that support a concentration in this field. Strong entrepreneurship programs tend to share several traits in common:
- a campus-wide culture of collaboration and innovation
- institutional support for programs that encourage research and interdisciplinary collaboration
- a streamlined technology transfer procedure
- a location near a technological/start-up hub
For decades, schools like Stanford University in the Silicon Valley and MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, have fostered the development of numerous start-up businesses in their locations. The technologies produced by campus researchers at these schools have been brought to market by partnerships between the university, faculty, students, and other entrepreneurs and investors.
“Variations in university location and resources can have an impact on MBA students’ ability to found new ventures in the sciences. In general, students at business schools that are affiliated with strong research universities are more likely to have access to cutting-edge researchers and technologies suitable for commercialization. In addition, schools in California, the greater Boston area and the Philadelphia-New York City corridor have access to a larger pool of skilled partners, including scientists, experienced entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.”
Regardless of location, the schools outlined in the Career Guide to Entrepreneurship offer both strong academic tracks and a range of extracurricular opportunities for students, including courses, student clubs, business plan contests, start-up incubators, and mentoring programs.
“Along with the University of Virginia’s other schools, Darden students benefit from involvement in the Virginia Entrepreneurial Society (E-Society). Dedicated to creating a supportive and encouraging community, the E-Society encourages collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking surrounding new ventures. Participating students may be matched with a mentor who provides guidance and advice regarding entrepreneurial careers. Through the E-Society, students have access to educational resources, professors and alumni, as well as venture capitalists, angel investors, and Charlottesville entrepreneurs and business groups.”
Over two-thirds of the schools in the Career Guide to Entrepreneurship offer a defined course of study for entrepreneurship, from Tuck’s New Ventures Focus to Babson’s Entrepreneurship Intensity Track. Not only will the guide provide comprehensive details that will help you decide which of these programs best support your career goals, it offers valuable information for essays and interview preparation and can be a valuable tool for making a final school decision.
So check out the Clear Admit Career Guide to Entrepreneurship from our new line of career-focused guides—85 pages of specialized information and guidance about the MBA programs that best support a future career in entrepreneurship. It’s available for immediate purchase and download from the Clear Admit shop!
