Editor’s note: This is an article in a series that explores how the Horn Team practices entrepreneurship. Alvaro Buenano is the president of the Entrepreneurship Club, a Registered Student Organization (RSO) for aspiring student entrepreneurs, open to both majors and non-majors.
2020 was challenging to manage as a student. Dealing with the downgrade in the quality of education over the final months of the spring semester made me truly wonder how I could continue to deliver the same, if not better, quality of resources and experience at the Entrepreneurship Club.
My answer came throughout the summer while taking the Horn pre-accelerator known as Summer Founders. I used what I learned about problem identification and customer archetypes to assess the members of the Entrepreneurship Club. Thanks to the help of the amazing men and women that work with me on the eBoard, we were able to reach out to our members and develop a virtual method that fits best for the fall.
Many professors, school, and clubs are choosing to simply move everything to Zoom. That is an easy way out but not always the right way.
Zoom burnout was seen time and time again during the end of the spring semester with virtual classes. Students, including myself, would get sick of being online, and even when we had classes on Zoom our attention would be elsewhere. Students with burnout may even choose to turn off their camera and audio. This would allow them to work on anything else instead of focusing on their classes.
For short and separated segments of time, Zoom is a fantastic resource; Zoom for over 3 hours a day with classes that may seem dense in nature can seriously lack the ability to retain students' attention and can put them at risk for Zoom fatigue. This is why we switched to a model that did not prioritize Zoom.
Our eBoard focused on a plan that was in the best interest of our students. This included the use of bi-weekly (every other week) Zoom meetings followed by Instagram posts with the stories of Student Founders.
We arrived at using Instagram primarily because it's something that everyone uses. The difference between Instagram and Zoom, however, is that one is optional and the other feels mandatory. Zoom would be different if it acted like FaceTime, where one can call their friends and talk to them face to face on their own accord.
However, now Zoom is being scheduled. It no longer feels optional. It is becoming a responsibility which can take away the enjoyment and freedom of the application. That's why we chose Instagram, because we can provide resources, Student Founder stories, updates on eClub, and short interviews to students.
But we aren't telling them that they need to look at these opportunities at a scheduled time. Instagram gives our members the flexibility to go back and look at all of the resources and opportunities when they choose to, when it is convenient for them.
By uploading contact info with these posts it allows members to reach out to these Student Founders to hear their stories, ask for advice, and quite possibly even have an opportunity to intern or become a member of their team!
In regards to expanding to other digital platforms, currently we are considering a website revamp. I see that being implemented during the winter session considering that our Instagram/bi-weekly Zoom model is working very well for us already. There have been talks about using TikTok, but nothing is set in stone.
This is the pivot that the Entrepreneurship Club has chosen based on the feedback from our members. Giving members quality resources and a quality experience is our responsibility here at eClub. At the end of the day we are the entrepreneurs and we are the ones figuring it out.
If you're interested in joining eClub then join us on Student Central and stay up to date on meeting topics, Student Founder traction, and opportunities through the eClub Instagram!
The Entrepreneurship Club will be holding a Pitch Party on Oct. 22. Stay tuned for further details, and stay updated through Horn Entrepreneurship and eClub media channels.
Orange-a-Passion(ate) Fruit Iced Green Tea Recipe
Directions
- Boil 4 cups of water, turn off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes
- In a heat-proof pitcher, place 5 Lipton Orange Passionfruit Jasmine Green tea bags
- Slowly add the hot water
- Let brew for 5 minutes, or longer for stronger flavor
- Add 1 spoonful of honey (because life is sweet)
- Add 6 cups of ice cubes, stir
- Serve with a lemon wedge or mint sprig
- Enjoy!
Keep refrigerated and drink within 24 hours.
About Horn Entrepreneurship
Horn Entrepreneurship serves as the creative engine for entrepreneurship education and advancement at the University of Delaware. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the US, Horn Entrepreneurship was built and is actively supported by successful entrepreneurs, empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.
