If you’ve graduated recently, chances are you’ve been actively searching for an entry-level position. Sure, the job outlook may be a bit murky, but you’re confident in your skills, sure of your resume, and optimistic about your job search. However, you may want to reconsider your career path.
Become an entrepreneur.
It may be the route you should be preparing for after moving your tassel to the left and tossing your cap in the air. You may be thinking this isn’t the norm, but you’ll find that more and more graduates are becoming their own bosses instead of joining the rat race, and here’s why:
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6 life-changing reasons to become an entrepreneur after college
Your degree is still fresh
Yes, many entry-level job positions require that you have at least a Bachelor’s degree, but even jobs lower on the totem pole require you have hands-on experience. “When did I have time to get real-world experience if I’ve been in college?” Exactly.
Chances are you’ll still be underqualified in the eyes of many employers, and the more they have to train you, the more money they have to spend, and they see that as time wasted.
You have the youth
Many people wait until they’re retired to start their own business and realize they don’t have the energy they once had. You do! When you’re young, you have the drive, the ambition, and the network contacts if you’re fresh out of college to have a successful small business.
You’ve seen young entrepreneurs succeed like Mark Zuckerberg and David Karp. You may have the next big thing since you’re the same age as a huge target demographic: 18-24-year-olds!
You don’t have to escape the rat race
Let’s face it; once you get a traditional 9 to 5, it’s pretty hard to break out of it. Struggling to move up the corporate ladder, probably being overworked and underpaid, and never having time to work on your potential business are all roadblocks you’re going to run into when you get a “real job.”
If you choose to become an entrepreneur right away, you won’t have those obstacles to jump over.
You probably don’t have a family to provide for
Many people don’t live out their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs because they’re worried about providing for their families. People with bills, spouses, and children are pressured to find a steady income and feel like becoming entrepreneurs is silly and financially dangerous.
If you’re not tied down, you’re in a great position to start your own business without worrying about how to feed someone other than yourself.
Job security is almost non-existent
While some recession-proof jobs are out there, they’re a lot harder to find than they used to be. Finding someone who’s been with their company for more than 15 years is almost unheard of now, thanks to the sagging economy, frequent layoffs, and low profits.
Provide your own job security with your own business, and never have to ask for a pay raise again.
Live the life you want to live
Truthfully, would you rather work for someone else or have someone working for you? Wouldn’t you love to take vacations when you want to without worrying about being denied? Don’t you want control of your off days, how many sick days you get, and your hours of operation?
You can’t really do that with an entry-level position at someone else’s company. When you’re an entrepreneur, you get to choose how you run and operate. If you haven’t already, you should read Tim Ferris’s 4 Hour Workweek and see how nice it is to run a business and travel the world. 4 hours sounds a lot better than 40, doesn’t it?
Will it be easy? Probably not. Will you meet some resistance, hardships, and lack of support along to way? Most likely. Will you take on additional expenses like health insurance and employment law insurance? Absolutely. But you’re in one of the best positions to become your own boss.
You have youth on your side, a brand new education, and the world at your disposal. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, so don’t miss your opportunity to find your way.
Prepare for becoming an entrepreneur after college
College can certainly be an eye-opening experience for many students. If you’re like most college students, you’re probably living by yourself for the very first time. You quickly discover that you like having the freedom to decide where to go, who to go with, and when to return.
Unfortunately, you may also be hit with a reality check when you run out of money and can’t simply hit up mom and dad for a few bucks. Never having enough money severely limits your choices, so you may want to earn a bit on the side.
Get A Part-Time Job
A time-honored way of making a few extra bucks to help pay the bills and have some spending money while attending college is to get a part-time job. Many businesses located in the vicinity of college campuses hire college students to fill entry-level positions such as waiters, bussers, cooks, delivery people, grocery and convenience store clerks, or similar non-specialized jobs.
The wages for these jobs are minimal, but they can bring in a little bit of money. It may be to your advantage to visit the financial aid office at the school to see if they have openings in a work-study program. Participating colleges and universities are appropriated funds from the federal government to disburse to qualifying individuals.
You will have to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to see if you’re eligible.
Use Your Skills
If you have specialized skills that could be useful to your fellow students, you could start a small business offering those skills at reasonable rates. If you do a good enough job, your name will get around, and your small business will expand.
You may even be able to use the Internet as a resource and expand your business to include the world at large.
Begin Tutoring
A college campus is an ideal place to make a little money by tutoring your classmates. If you’re particularly good in a certain subject, you can offer your services as a tutor to those who aren’t doing as well. All it’ll take is time.
You should be able to find tutoring jobs by spreading the word that you’re available. Word of mouth advertising is the best method of getting new jobs. You can also post notices on bulletin boards outlining the services you’re offering and your credentials.
The notice should include a way to get in contact with you as well. If you’re uncomfortable putting your phone number out in public, you can always use an e-mail address.
Become A Freelance Editor
Another source of nearly unlimited customers on a college campus is to offer your services as a freelance editor. Your campus is more than likely filled with people who continually receive writing assignments from their instructors.
Each assignment is judged based on how well the document is written and how it’s presented. Any written assignment needs to be punctuated correctly and contain proper grammar.
As a freelance editor, you can assure students that their work will not receive a bad grade due to improper formatting, spelling, or grammatical errors.
Become A Freelance Writer
If you are an able writer, you may make a few dollars as a freelance writer. All you need to start is a computer and high-speed Internet access. You may even be able to pick up a little work from local newspapers and magazines.
Because the majority of your submissions will be done via e-mail, you may even be able to get away without owning a printer. If you write solely for Internet websites, you won’t even have to leave your dorm room because all your research can be done online.
Website Design
Since an ever-expanding number of businesses uses the Internet to promote their service or product, you may be able to make a few bucks as a website designer.
The Internet is worldwide, so your potential customers can be in Nebraska, Canada, or Brazil — it really doesn’t matter where they’re located because you can do the work from the comfort of your dorm room or any place that offers Wi-Fi.
You should begin by designing your own website so potential clients can see the quality of your work. A good place to begin advertising your website design business is using social media, such as Facebook or Twitter.
