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Between classes, homework, clubs and having a social life, it can be hard to break into the startup community as a student. Sure, there are internships — but those opportunities only come around every so often, and some internships only give you exposure to a single startup. So what’s a student considering a career in tech or entrepreneurship to do? We found four ways students can start getting involved in the startup community that aren’t an internship.
Student-focused resources
Most universities and community colleges in Colorado have resources for students interested in entrepreneurship and tech. Some only have classes dedicated to the subject, but others have clubs, programs and events designed specifically to introduce students to the community. CU-Boulder has a student-centered accelerator called CatalyzeCU, and CSU hosts an annual Collegiate Challenge which has a pitch competition, symposium and networking opportunities. DU’s Daniels College of Business curates a calendar of business events, many of which focus on entrepreneurship. And near CU’s campus is
, a coworking space designed with students in mind, which also hosts events and classes.
Networking events / meetup groups
We’re a big fan of using networking events and Meetup groups to get started in the community. Boulder and Denver each have their own Open Coffee Club, a biweekly gathering to discuss all things tech. Caffeinated Mornings in Boulder will set your creative side alight, featuring speakers from sculptors to graphic designers and graffiti artists. And for students over 21, our monthly Built In Brews events are a great way to meet new people. Of course, if you’re interested in building your own startup, starting your own group might make for a great test run.
Volunteering
Even outsiders of the community might be aware of the “give first” mentality we like to rock in Colorado. If you give before you get, great things happen. Some people like to call it karma, we like to call it being a rad person. Plenty of startup-related events in Colorado need volunteers throughout the year. Startup Weeks across Colorado always need a little help, and Boulder Startup Week is coming up soon. Ignite Denver needs people to help with check-ins, and then you get to catch the show. NewCo Boulder pairs volunteers with up-and-coming companies in Boulder in their annual autumnal festival. And if there’s a startup event you want to volunteer at, ask them! There’s a good chance they’d love to have your help.
Participate in a House of Genius session
House of Genius hosts networking events — with a twist — all around the world, including in Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins. They curate a panel of collaborators, who then work to help entrepreneurs solve all sorts of problems. The catch? Everyone has to stay anonymous, using first names only and not saying anything about what they do for work. It’s a great way for students to show their smarts while meeting new people and helping entrepreneurs with their business challenges. Pretty awesome.
What other resources do you know of for students? Email us or let us know on Twitter: @builtincolorado.
