In small cities and towns where teachers and educational leaders want to provide students with entrepreneurial internship opportunities, there may not be enough businesses or resources to support these efforts.  Sometimes students miss out simply because of where they live.

The awesome news is social media can connect students to entrepreneurial mentors in far away places.

Entrepreneurs all over the country and world are ready and willing to mentor students.  We just have to connect them. Here are just a few ways.

1. Twitter chats. There are several twitter chats students can participate in to gain insight, perspective and awesome resources from entrepreneurs. The topics discussed include money, marketing, business, PR, blogging, journalism and more. But the most important thing is if students can make a connection with an entrepreneur in these chats, they can build a possible mentor/mentee relationship. Some chats students may be interested in are:

  • #b2bchat is on Thursdays at 8PM and focuses on business and marketing best practices.
  • #mmchat or Marketer Monday takes place on Mondays 8PM and focuses on marketing and business.
  • #bizforum is on Wednesdays at 8PM and focuses on trending business topics.
  • #prchat is on Tuesdays at 8PM and focuses on new media and public relations.

The most important thing for students to know when participating in these chats is to introduce themselves as students aspiring to be entrepreneurs and to not be afraid to ask questions.

2. Google Hangouts (GHO). Have students reach out, via email or Facebook, to someone who is willing to mentor them. Use Google Hangouts to connect them. Perhaps the GHO can happen during class or they can occur during internship hours. Either way GHOs are an awesome way to connect people from all over.  You can also get several students in one GHO and the mentor can mentor as many as he or she wants at once. Use GHOs to connect weekly and perhaps launch ideas and products together.

3. Facebook. Many successful entrepreneurs have Facebook pages that aren’t personal but business related. Have students follow entrepreneurs they look up to or want to emulate. Students can connect and share venture ideas through Facebook messenger or by posts.

4. Blogs. Many successful entrepreneurs have blogs where they share ideas and tips. Have students follow or subscribe to blogs they like and create lessons or projects based on the ideas in the blogs. It’s an easy way to learn from someone successful without sitting down and logging hours. Check out these and see for yourself.

  • Seth Godin is a very successful entrepreneur who talks mostly about having the entrepreneurial spirit. http://sethgodin.typepad.com
  • James Altucher has managed hedge funds, written books and is a champion chess player.  He talks mostly about how to Choose Yourself to become your own boss and in charge of your own destiny. http://www.jamesaltucher.com
  • Danielle Laport is a very successful life/business coach who has helped people achieve their dreams through her Fire Starter Chats and Desire Map. http://www.daniellelaporte.com.
  • Marie Forleo is a very successful business coach who helps people become more efficient in their business: http://www.marieforleo.com
  • Marc Gubert is a teenage entrepreneur who has writer several books including How to be Successful on Twitter. His blog is incredibly helpful especially in how to leverage social media to grow your business. http://marcguberti.com  

*Disclaimer: Some of these bloggers on occasion use profanity.

5. Quora. Quora is a Q&A site where amazing entrepreneurs and experts take the time to answer questions. Students can follow topics like “startups” and “entrepreneurship” and people like Seth Godin or Mark Zuckerberg.  Students can ask questions like “What is the best way to prepare yourself for entrepreneurship?” or “What are some tips on connecting with high-profile people that can help your startup?” Quora is AMAZING and a way for regular people who want advice to connect with some of the most powerful entrepreneurs in the world.

See for yourself and check these resources out.  Most students are already using these tools; they just have to apply them to entrepreneurial internships. Once you and your students get comfortable using these resources, begin forming internships around them. And most of all have fun and enjoy!

 

 

 

One Response

  1. Dawn Casey-Rowe

    Love this post–it’s spot on. Connecting students with entrepreneurs is a game-changer. I’ve had students watch TEDx talks, read books and then I say, “Go. Connect.” In some cases, I’ve made introductions. I’ve learned to scaffold students toward the entrepreneurial world a little better before so doing, and teach them the value of the introductions so they’re ready for a productive relationship.

    It’s a land of opportunity–seasoned entrepreneurs are so generous with their time. I’m grateful for that–for those who’ve been kind and patient with my students. These relationships are necessary, because if–as many entrepreneurs say–school isn’t giving these kids real-life experiences, I think it’s the entrepreneurs who will.

    Ultimately, I’d like to see schools sit down directly with entrepreneurs and redesign the system together. Students and entrepreneurs are my clients–I need to give students what they want, but entrepreneurs are the people that’ll give these kids their first real shot in life. They need to be part of reform.

    Love this article–connecting kids is so valuable. If they can start four years earlier and polish those skills, fantastic.

    Reply

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