By Jodie Dello Stritto
The world of work is changing fast. An innovative Penn State minor — the Product Innovation Cluster of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor — from the College of Engineering gives students opportunities to solve real-world problems, preparing them to navigate an increasingly entrepreneurial world.
“Engineering entrepreneurship’s impact is two-fold,” according to Ted Graef, program director in Penn State’s School of Engineering Design and Innovation.
“It provides entrepreneurial business knowledge and the creative, entrepreneurial mindset to complement credentials in engineering and other fields. These are the skills businesses seek in their new engineers and that employers seek in all careers today,” he said. “Our students are learning to be fearless problem solvers, seeking creative solutions and taking educated risks — qualities that distinguish them among their peers.”
Students agree that the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor and the program’s Product Innovation Cluster have a transformative impact, helping them gain unique personal and career development advantages, even “revolutionizing their Penn State experience” and helping them “crystalize their career and personal goals and ambitions.”
Penn State’s program was one of the first in the country to offer an 18-credit Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minor, , open to all majors. Graef emphasized that the minor offers an opportunity for students seeking to get outside their comfort zone and take ownership of their career path.
“Any student that wants to take charge of their career and life in general should seek out this opportunity,” he said. “Students will learn business fundamentals to complement their major and will learn to be fearless problem solvers. Every student should be exposed to the entrepreneurial mindset, not just those who want to start companies. It is beneficial for all students to have these skills no matter what career path they follow.”
The program also teaches intrapreneurship — how to drive innovation from within an existing company.
“Intrapreneurship is a critical element of the program because we know that Penn State engineers are in high demand, working in leadership positions at major firms worldwide,” explained Frank Koe, teaching professor in the School of Engineering Design and Innovation. The program hosts an annual Conference on Intrapreneurship in May, inviting businesses to share their experiences with students and attendees.
According to Brad Groznik, assistant teaching professor in the School of Engineering Design and Innovation, alumni of the program believe it made an impact on their post-graduate success.
New School of Engineering and Design building
“We’re proud that our graduates are in every aspect of the economy, from their startups to Fortune 500s, and we’ve heard from many that Engineering Entrepreneurship has been key to their success,” he said.
Learn more about Penn State’s Engineering Entrepreneurship minor and the Product Innovation Cluster.
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