Our discussion of entrepreneurship began with introductions; each person went around the room, and explained why they had been drawn to this particular talk. A common theme quickly emerged: the majority of students in attendance were interested in pursuing their own unique ideas as business ventures. Regardless of major or college, Cornell students have a strong, innovative spirit. Our speaker was one such example; as a Cornell student, he founded his own clothing company. The company’s mission was to use sales to improve access to and quality of water in nations lacking water security. The business began out of his dorm, as he and his peers worked to build it as they fulfilled other requirements as full time students. He now helps a variety of students trying to come up with the next big idea by facilitating programs that offer not only funding, but valuable mentorship and guidance.

I have never imagined that I could build up my own small business projects, but this discussion made me realize that it was possible to do as a student. There are even a number of great resources on Cornell’s campus to get things started, not including invaluable mentorship from incredible professors. If any of you have an idea worth pursuing, now is the time to try. Who knows? It might just be the next big thing.