January 17th, 2009
You’re the Best Ever: Entrepreneur 2.0
Recessions are depressing, no two ways about it. Every challenge is an opportunity, though, right? This must be the greatest opportunity in recent history. What are we going to do about it? Moping isn’t the answer. Complaining about won’t work either. We’re far too intelligent to let this whole mess keep us down. Let’s get creative! It’s time to innovate and exploit.Â
Don’t Hate, Innovate
Recent college graduates are facing depressing times. The job market has become flooded with people with more experience thanks to lay-offs, and hiring freezes are rampant, to boot. What to do, what to do… Take that big, sexy brain and create! With gainful employment becoming increasingly rare with established companies, the only choice is to grab those boot straps, pick yourself up, and kick your brain into high gear.Â
Pressure Leads to Evolution
In nature, when things get particularly stressful, some species fail and others adapt. This isn’t survival of the fittest; it’s survival of the quick to adapt. Neanderthals were outclassed by homo sapiens sapiens (that’s us) because the climate changed, making things more competitive. We adapted because our massive, in comparison, frontal lobes allowed us to create new tools and generally adapt creatively; they didn’t. The lesson? Just because it’s always been done that way doesn’t mean that it will always work; things change.Â
Lessons from Hard Times
Recessions get Americans all worked up. We’re sure there’s money to be made, but it takes a while to figure it out. It’s like a puzzle, and we love those. Historically, recessions lead to an increase in entrepreneurs, freelancers, and the like. Â
Upgrade to 2.0
Web 2.0 is changing the face of social networking, media, and business. My advice: get on board, if you haven’t already. The Internet is the best tool our species has ever created. It’s evolving; so are we.Â
You are the future. You are the best you’ve ever been. You are entrepreneur 2.0. Start selling your immense talents. The needs of companies haven’t disappeared; their budget has. Freelancers of all sorts have a unique chance to help businesses get their work done for less. Entrepreneurial minds have been given the gift of the challenge. Necessity is the mother of invention, and–perhaps more than ever before–we need to reinvent our world. Â
Where to Start
You’ll need to know about running your own business no matter which field you’re entering. Getting a degree online is usually less expensive, letting you save the capital you’ll need to get going. Shunning education is cliché. Those who pull it off and still make it big are the exception, not the rule. The more education you have, the better you look to clients. Start with education. Continue with creativity. Go make some money!
Some other things recent college graduates should keep in mind: 1) You are more than your major. Achieving a degree shows your ability to learn, follow through, and succeed, but it doesn’t mean that your particular area is the only area you are capable of being successful in! Many people are successful in fields they never intended to enter. Don’t be afraid to seek jobs outside of your major. If you have the skills, talent, and personality that lend itself to the job, you’ll be successful and an employer will be more than happy to have you. 2) Find a way to stand out – there are a lot of resumes out there! If you get an interview, show them how you are unique and sell yourself. Without being phony, find a way to connect to the hiring manager. Listen and observe. Can you find an honest connection or a common interest? People want qualified candidates, but they also know they are going to be seeing you and talking to you every work day. While they are evaluating your job skills, they’re also evaluating whether they’d like to be around you (whether they realize it or not!)
Comment by Lynn M — January 21, 2009 @ 9:00 am