We have spent 3.5 years working with startups in the area, understanding their internships needs and running workshops, events, and mentoring to help prepare students for these internships. After working with 45 startups to place 97 students primarily in sales/marketing and software/web development internships, we are ready to begin our next phase. Beginning this Fall we will offer our first formal entrepreneur workforce development course that will educate and train students on the skills and requirements needed for an entry level sales/marketing position in a startup. These students will also have ongoing access and participation in our StEP Internship Program: www.umb.edu/entrepreneurship_center/step

It doesn’t make sense for students to graduate from college and not be prepared for entry level positions in the most vibrant economic sector in our region. And it doesn’t make sense for students to need to enter into training programs after they graduate in order to be qualified for these positions.

This course can be taken as a for credit course in the College of Management at UMASS Boston or as a certificate course by anyone interested in building their career in the entrepreneur economy. All are invited to attend an Information Session July 25 at 5pm in the Venture Development Center at UMASS Boston: http://www.umb.edu/news_events_media/news/new_entrepreneurship_course_at_umass_boston_provides_workforce_training/

We are also actively working on an Entrepreneur Software/Web Development Course to prepare students for entry level development positions in startups. Stay tuned.