"'Creative Careers: Learning from the Alumni' is a win/win/win proposition. The students win by hearing real world advice from the alumni; the alumni win both by connecting with current students and by analyzing closely their own careers in preparation for their presentations; and the College wins by strengthening the tie between the students and alumni and by reminding both that a Grinnell education extends far past graduation." - Linnet Harlan '72
Alumni Short-Courses 2013-14
The Wilson Program typically funds two short-courses annually by Grinnell Alumni. These short-courses are normally 3 weeks long, meeting 2 days a week (T,TH or M,W) from 2:15 to 4:05.
2012 Short course instructions WILSON PROGRAM IN ENTERPRISE AND LEADERSHIP.doc
Alumni Short Courses - Fall 2013
SST 295: SO YOU WANT TO START A BUSINESS?
Atul Gupta '88
This course, sponsored by the Donald L. Wilson Program in Enterprise and Leadership, identifies the challenges and rewards, the successes and failures that face every entrepreneur starting up a business. The example used will be a computer services company, but the lessons generalize to most kinds of start-ups. The students will see business foundation as the realization of an "idea." Business ideas, like most ideas, are ultimately based on an underlying philosophy that guides key decisions and operations. What is the "value proposition" of your business? In other words, why would consumers buy your product? Why would people come to work for you? What do you offer that they cannot get elsewhere? We will cover such issues as what motivates people risk entrepreneurship. Identifying and building upon core strengths and competencies. How to measure and monitor growth and progress. When and how to get outside help: acquiring mentors, establishing an advisory board. When is it time to reinvent your business? How do you do that? The students should leave this short course with a better understanding of the pain and joy of creating and running a successful company. Mondays and Wednesdays 2:15 - 4:05 p.m. Dates: October 28 to November 12, 2013. Short course deadlines apply.
Faculty Courses - Fall 2013
SST/ANT 295.02 Managing Enterprise and Innovation
D. Douglas Caulkins
Special Topic: Managing Enterprise and Innovation This course, sponsored by the Donald L. Wilson Program in Enterprise and Leadership, takes a case-study approach to the management of innovations, using case studies by alumni visitors. Innovations include changes in products, processes, and organizational structures, in such fields as social enterprise, education, biotechnology, community action organizations, web-based businesses, conservation organizations, and high technology firms. Alumni will participate throughout the course, giving their experience of managing innovation in a variety of firms and NGOs. Prerequisites: 2 courses in the social studies division. Cross-list: ANT-295-02. Mondays and Fridays, 12:45 - 2:05 p.m.
