Students Gain Real World Business Experience at Enterprise Institute

By: Katie Hendrickson

Tuesday, 08 April 2008

The Enterprise Institute helps innovation and businesses grow in South Dakota.  One way they ensure the future of innovation is by providing real world work experience for university students.

Each year, Student Commercialization Analysts work part-time for the Enterprise Institute while attending school.  They are carefully trained in how-to prepare competitive intelligence reports that help entrepreneurs make important business decisions.

This year five Student Commercialization Analysts assisted clients with market research, competitive analysis, patent searches, and business plan writing:

  • Chris Daugaard, of Dell Rapids, is majoring in both Economics & Political Science.  Next year he will continue to work at Enterprise Institute while serving as President of the Students' Association. 

"Working at the Enterprise Institute has introduced me to many areas of business, competition, and marketing that I wouldn't have found anywhere else.  It has given me the opportunity to develop marketable skills in a very flexible, student-friendly environment."

  • Mark Morgan, of Brookings, is a Mass Communications/Advertising & Business Economics double-major.  This summer he will be an Account Planning Intern at Lawrence & Schiller.

"The Enterprise Institute has been an amazing place to work while attending school.  EI has helped me to develop real world experience as a student and I have greatly enjoyed my time here."

The following students will graduate this May:

  • Ryan Bye, of Sioux City, IA, is a Business Economics major.  After graduating in May he hopes to find a job in financial management.

"Working for EI has been more than rewarding.  Being able to help South Dakota's entrepreneurs has been a privilege and a pleasure.  I feel the opportunity to work for EI has helped me develop my career skills and grow into a professionally desirable individual."

  • Jess Hansen, of Milbank, is a Business Economics major.  After graduation, he will attend USD to pursue an MBA. 

"The Enterprise Institute has been a great place to learn about the entrepreneurial process.  It has been really amazing watching projects go from start to finish and then actually see them out on store shelves.  It has also been an excellent place to meet many new people and some good friends."

  • Katie Hendrickson, of Lennox, is a Mass Communications/Advertising major.  After graduation, she hopes to find a marketing/Advertising job in the equine or magazine industry.

"Working for the Enterprise Institute was a great opportunity to learn more about the competitive nature of business.  It also introduced me to the wealth of resources that are available for researching and building a business.  Overall, it's great to finally use what I've learned at SDSU to help others.

Pictured from left to right: Chris Daugaard, Mark Morgan,

Katie Hendrickson, Ryan Bye and Jess Hansen