PROFILE: Katelyn Skarbec, a business major freshman at HCC
"Q&A"
Q1: What triggered your decision to take ENTR-215 class "Taking Innovation to Market"?
A: I decided to take the class because my teacher and a classmate recommended it and said that Wayne Swann was a great professor. They said that it was a great class and you had an opportunity to compete for a cash prize at a competition during the Entrepreneurial Celebration held at the end of each semester.
Q2:How do you grade your experience with the presentation at Entrepreneurial Celebration on this past May for the real-life project “ReRemember”?
A:My project ReRemember was a great experience. It gave me experience on how to look at a new innovation and if it can make a difference in people’s lives. I learned a number of skills that will help me in the future. For example, how to give a presentation to an audience of more than 100 people and be able to present myself as a business leader. And I also got to learn about Alzheimer’s disease and how it affects people and how new innovations can improve the lives of those suffering from it as well as their family members.
Q3:How do you feel about your team presentation for TA3 International Conference at HCC in June of 2008?
A:The entire team was honored to have the opportunity to present at an international conference. I really enjoyed the Conference. It was a great experience and I’m thankful for having another opportunity to present the ReRemember project and show the attendees the results of a very unique course.
Q4:Why did you decide to participate in the start up company NutriGrow?
A:In addition to the ReRemember student team, there were two other innovations the class was evaluating. One of them was a slow release “Green” fertilizer developed by USDA scientists. I decided to look into the NutriGrow start up with three of the other fellow classmates because I thought it was a great project. I thought I’d really like the opportunity to start a company, make it work, and see how far I can take my skills and put them to use. As I mentioned earlier, this is one of the career paths I’m considering. So NutriGrow is a great opportunity - with the guidance from HCC, and a team of great people, we’re going to go green.
Q5:What was your favorite topic in ENTR-215?
A:: My favorite topic in Professor Wayne Swann’s class was negotiating. He used real life experiences to describe how to negotiate in business and in your personal life using many different tactics. A number of examples involved how to buy a car. I remember about two weeks later, I went car shopping with a friend and I put the negotiating tactics to use - to good use. That was definitely my favorite part, since I’m into sales and marketing and talking to people and bargaining. I still use those negotiating tactics when I go to the mall and there is a kiosk stand. They are trying to sell me something and I say, “Nope, I want this price.” And if they don’t give it to me, I start to walk away. Negotiating was great. That was definitely my favorite topic.
Q6:What has taking ENTR-215 taught you?
A:After taking this class I definitely do know that I want to go into business and possibly run my own business one day. It has already led to NutriGrow which I’m very excited about and very happy to be part of. I hope to make it a good business and to gain some knowledge in the real world. Definitely the knowledge about patents and licensing and companies has helped with this whole experience, my future career and owning my own business. It’s just great to be able to tell people about it and explain how I am involved with this opportunity. They are always like, “Oh, this is so cool.” And I’m like, “Yeah, this awesome.”
Q7:Do you see the opportunity for other student to take the TAP program?
A:I do see great opportunity for other people to take the technology program, the TAP program. I’ve already been across campus telling people you need to take this class. The professor’s great, everybody that helps run this program is great. It is a great experience, it is something that you will take to heart and learn something from it. You will remember it for the rest of your life because you learn so much from it. There are invited speakers and mentors from the business community. And Professor Swann has a lot of experience as a researcher, inventor and entrepreneur. It’s a great program. I’m really proud to have been a part of it.
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