It is the classic conundrum for college students getting ready to enter the workforce. You need experience to get a good job. You need a good job to get experience.
The traditional solution to this dilemma has been an internship, which generally works well, but sometimes the timing for a semester-long commitment or the needs of an employer do not align with the students' schedule and career goals.
While attending Grand Rapids Community College, Jason Schemmel thought there had to be a better way for students to get relevant project-based experience.
Inspired, Schemmel designed and launched
ENTRPRSR, a website where students can register and then apply for project-based internships (minimum of eight weeks) and one-time projects that are posted by businesses. "This is much more flexible then an internship. Students can build their portfolio, get real life experiences, get more references and expand their personal network," says Schemmel.
Since launching just over one year ago, Schemmel has received $5,000 funding through Start Garden, upgraded his site, and has helped six businesses staff projects. Schemmel says he has over 70 students registered on the site and has been working closely with career services and professors at area colleges to gain traction.
Schemmel says the projects remains a "full-time side project" but is confident that, as more students get enrolled and more employers post projects on the site, it will continue to grow and students will have more options to gain relevant experience to move their careers forward.
To learn more about ENTRPRSR you can view their website
here or Facebook group
here. You can also follow them on Twitter at @ENTRPRSR.
Writer: John Rumery, innovation and Jobs News Editor
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