http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/2008/08/06/does-your-campus-drive-away-entrepreneurs/ The source on how we live, work and play Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:10:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/2008/08/06/does-your-campus-drive-away-entrepreneurs/comment-page-1/#comment-4900 Zoe B Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:36:04 +0000 http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/?p=2018#comment-4900 Our university is trying to encourage an entrepreneurial culture. The business school has courses in entrepreneurship for undergraduate, graduate and continuing students. They have built a facility intended to be an incubator for high-tech businesses, and now have some tenants who might hit it big. There even is a support service and networking space for students who want to pursue business ideas while still in college (notably, founded and run by student entrepreneurs). We also have one or two excellent examples of spin-off corporations that have chosen to remain in town and have had success luring new graduates to stay in town. That said, we still have the limitations of a small town. The more specialized your profession (or that of your spouse). the less likely you are to find jobs that suit both of you. If you want big-city nightlife, we can't supply it. If you want to see world-class art you have to get out of town. The university provides graduate students with opportunities for a social life, but young professionals have a harder time meeting potential mates. And socially we still are pretty conservative: same-sex couples do not feel comfortable holding hands in public. That said, we are successful in attracting young folks who want to live in a small town with a healthy economy. Or who want to return here when their kids reach school age. Our university is trying to encourage an entrepreneurial culture. The business school has courses in entrepreneurship for undergraduate, graduate and continuing students. They have built a facility intended to be an incubator for high-tech businesses, and now have some tenants who might hit it big. There even is a support service and networking space for students who want to pursue business ideas while still in college (notably, founded and run by student entrepreneurs). We also have one or two excellent examples of spin-off corporations that have chosen to remain in town and have had success luring new graduates to stay in town. That said, we still have the limitations of a small town. The more specialized your profession (or that of your spouse). the less likely you are to find jobs that suit both of you. If you want big-city nightlife, we can’t supply it. If you want to see world-class art you have to get out of town. The university provides graduate students with opportunities for a social life, but young professionals have a harder time meeting potential mates. And socially we still are pretty conservative: same-sex couples do not feel comfortable holding hands in public. That said, we are successful in attracting young folks who want to live in a small town with a healthy economy. Or who want to return here when their kids reach school age.

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