Next week sees the launch of Global Enterprise Week http://www.gew.org.uk/ 12-18th November 2012, an exciting, week long programme of national and international events, competitions and activities that aims to inspire and motivate you to engage with enterprise, entrepreneurship and business.
As a creative student why should you get involved? Here are my top reasons why you should….
1.More graduates than ever are choosing to become self employed after graduation.
A recent HESCU publication, ‘What graduates do 2011/12’ highlighted a growth in the number of graduates who are choosing to become self employed after their studies. Notably, creative graduates are leading the way with 46.8% of self employed graduates coming from arts, design, culture or sports professions. With 64.6% of graduates working as artists and 34.6% of textile designers reporting to be self employed/freelance six months after graduation. See the report here: http://www.hecsu.ac.uk/assets/assets/documents/WDGD_Oct_2012.pdf
2.Business skills and knowledge are increasingly becoming a key graduate attribute required for today’s employment market.
More and more employers are seeking graduates who can demonstrate business acumen and customer awareness. Employers are looking for graduates who understand and can contribute to; how a business operates, the market that they work within and how to deal with customers and clients professionally. This is especially true for the creative sector, which is predominately populated by small to micro businesses often employing 4 people or less. As a creative graduate who has business acumen you will be at a distinct advantage in the job market. See Target Jobs for more information on what employers are looking for in new graduates: http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/career-planning/273051-the-top-10-skills-thatll-get-you-a-job-when-you-graduate
3.Your creativity is highly valued in the business world… The BusinessSchooledge.com http://www.businessschooledge.com/21-business-skills-to-succeed (extract below) details key skills required for successful business. Your day to day creativity, skills and approach to practice; such as visual arts and design processes are key qualities that entrepreneurs hold. Find out more about your skills in a business context: http://www.nesta.org.uk/publications/reports/assets/features/the_art_of_innovation
- Imagination – Many people neglect their creative side feeling thinking that it is better to be all about the logic, but in fact some of the most successful business people are also the most imaginative.
- Inventiveness – If you can imagine it you can create it, and if you create it then you can sell it! Look around you, think of the things you buy and use, someone had to have the idea before it was built and sold to you. You might be surprised how few mad inventors there are, more products are invented in a marketing office than a garage.
- Problem Solving – A big part of surviving in business is about solving problems fast and effectively. An employee who is good at keeping their head in a crisis while fighting fires is a worthwhile asset to any business.
- Brainstorming – Some people think brainstorming is all about having stupid ideas while ridiculing the contributions of everyone else while drinking coffee, eating cookies and flirting with the secretary from floor 2. Perhaps this is why brainstorms get a bad name? If you can brainstorm great ideas, fast then you will be one step ahead.
- Making connections – Some of the best ideas have simply been about connecting two otherwise unconnected ideas together. Could you invent the next iPhone?
Interested in finding out more, why don’t you seek out opportunities to get involved in local Global Enterprise week activity, take a risk and start to build the business knowledge and awareness that will help you succeed in your future career.
For Global Enterprise Week events near you see: http://tinyurl.com/dxot2av
Or Contact Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE): http://www.sie.ac.uk/news.aspx
And your SIE intern: http://www.sie.ac.uk/contact-us/student-interns.aspx
Or email careers@gsa.ac.uk for the Creative Business handout and come along to the ‘Creative Business’ seminar on Wednesday 14th November 2012 4-5pm Bourdon Lecture Theatre.
Other Resources
Scottish Institute for Enterprise: http://www.sie.ac.uk
Cultural Enterprise Office: http://www.culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk/website/
Deutsche Bank Award in Creative Practice: https://gsacareers.wordpress.com/deutsche-bank-award-in-creative-practice/
NESTA Scotland: http://www.nesta.org.uk/areas_of_work/scotland
Artquest: http://www.artquest.org.uk/
Creative Enterprise network: http://www.creative-enterprise-network.com/
Guardian Careers Article: http://careers.guardian.co.uk/careers-blog/creatives-entrepreneurs-graduate-jobs
Image: Red Button Design winning SIE competition
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