Finding Real-World Application at Networking Conferences

My experience took place in Detroit, Michigan. I was selected as a recognized scholar to attend the 2019 Forbes Under 30 Summit. This 4-day conference was an amazing opportunity for me to learn from the world’s greatest leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators such as Serena Williams, Sophia Bush, Olivia Munn, and Kevin Durant. Forbes Under 30 Summit was an immersive experience that included A-list speakers, investor speed-pitching, industry-focused field trips, and a day of community service. Most importantly, this experience allowed me to network with many like-minded individuals that share the same passion as me and want to create an impact in the world.

This experience was important for my personal and professional development. As an aspiring entrepreneur, this was a great opportunity for me to listen to the lessons and advice that speakers shared, take that knowledge, and implement it into my own future endeavor. Additionally, it was important for me to be able to share the key insights and connections that I was able to gain to better enrich the entrepreneurship community here in Penn State. I was able to share my story with my professors in the Entrepreneurship & Innovation minor, have a Penn State article published, and present to the members of Innoblue on this experience.

Although I have been studying entrepreneurship through the ENTI minor, this experience was able to put the lessons I have learned into a real-world perspective. It was the perfect complement. From my experience, a lot of the courses are project based, which is still very important, but it was great to tangibly learn from influential figures share their story and what they had to say about entrepreneurship – the good, bad, and ugly. I believe it is always important for students to utilize what they’ve learned in a classroom setting and make it applicable to a real-world setting. Going to networking conferences is the perfect way to do that!

I learned that anyone can be an entrepreneur. You don’t have to go to school or major/minor in it to be one yourself, but there will inevitably be challenges. There were many influential figures that started off as an actor or athlete, and transition into entrepreneurship because they wanted to have their own business. This experience has inspired me to continue to work hard, dream big, and know that entrepreneurship is always an option for me no matter what job have.