As part of my Grand Challenges Scholars Program (GCSP) journey, I pursued an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor, which qualifies as a Gold Level experience under the GCSP entrepreneurship component. Through this minor and my hands-on experiences, I have developed essential entrepreneurial skills that align with the core learning objectives.​

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Learning objectives:

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1.Developing Strategies for Recognizing Opportunities and Identifying Tools for Quality Risk Assessment:​

Through my coursework and projects, I developed the ability to identify market needs, assess risks, and create viable business models. A key example of this was Eco3dGo, where I conducted customer discovery interviews to validate the demand for solar-powered mobile 3D printing solutions. This process required analyzing potential risks, including scalability, funding challenges, and adoption barriers, allowing me to refine my business strategy accordingly. Through this experience, I gained hands-on expertise in market research, feasibility analysis, and problem validation, which are essential for making informed entrepreneurial decisions. By applying structured risk assessment frameworks and validating business ideas, I successfully fulfilled the Gold Level requirement for entrepreneurial training and startup-related experience within the GCSP program.

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​2.Exhibiting Skills for Communicating Ideas in a Concise and Logical Way

​Through my Entrepreneurship Minor, I developed strong skills in pitching, persuasive communication, and business storytelling, which were further reinforced through participation in multiple entrepreneurship competitions. These experiences required me to present my ideas to judges, mentors, and potential stakeholders, where I worked on crafting business proposals, elevator pitches, and investor presentations. This process enhanced my ability to communicate complex ideas concisely, tailor messages for different audiences, and create compelling narratives around innovation and sustainability. By integrating these skills into both academic coursework and real-world entrepreneurial settings, I successfully fulfilled the Gold Level requirement for effective entrepreneurial communication within the GCSP program.

 

​3.Working Effectively in Teams Focused on Entrepreneurship-Related Projects

​Through my entrepreneurial coursework and projects, I collaborated with students from diverse disciplines, including engineering, business, and design, to develop innovative solutions. Whether working on a startup idea or tackling a class-based entrepreneurial challenge, I actively participated in team-based problem-solving, leadership, and decision-making. These experiences allowed me to enhance my team coordination, project management, and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills, which are crucial for entrepreneurial success. By working effectively within entrepreneurial teams to refine and execute innovative ideas, I successfully met the Gold Level requirement of the GCSP program for entrepreneurial teamwork and collaboration.

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​4. Applying Entrepreneurial Thinking to Social Issues and Social Problems

​Through my coursework and entrepreneurial projects, I focused on real-world challenges such as sustainability and accessibility in technology, applying entrepreneurial thinking to create impactful solutions. By exploring business models that integrate renewable energy and advanced manufacturing, I worked on developing innovative approaches that address pressing global issues. This experience deepened my understanding of social entrepreneurship, sustainable innovation, and impact-driven business models, reinforcing the importance of aligning business solutions with societal needs. By leveraging entrepreneurship to tackle sustainability challenges, I successfully fulfilled the Gold Level requirement of the GCSP program for applying entrepreneurship to address societal issues.

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How I Fulfilled the Entrepreneurship Requirement

ENTR 200

ENTR201

ENME444

ENEM204

ECON101

GWST200