College graduation is quickly approaching for millions of young Americans. During Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA, students across the country will learn how to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity, and how to apply it to their future careers.

More than 275 universities and colleges in the United States will join thousands of organizations across the globe in an effort to inspire millions to generate new ideas and seek better ways of doing things. They have taken two tracks in planning their activities. Duke, as a classic example, has created activities based on themes—law, undergraduates and technology. While others, like the LaunchPad at the University of Miami, are hosting a variety of events each day for people of all different interests. Their events encompass the topics of entrepreneurship and life sciences, entrepreneurship in the movies,
entrepreneurship in negotiation and social innovation and enterprise.

Colleges are not only focused on a variety of themes but they are also hosting a multitude of activities. The  
University of Hawaii is hosting a business pitch competition, many speednetworking activities, a variety of speakers and big opening and closing celebrations.

Drexel University, on the other hand, has taken a slightly more academic approach by inviting a variety of speakers and focusing heavily on the biomedical sector.

Others branching out from “typical” university programming:

    * Chapman University is holding a ‘ball drop’ event similar to the New Year’s Eve countdown in Times Square;
    * Southeast Missouri State University is holding music workshops;
    * University of Maryland is hosting noted cake baker Duff Goldman;  and the
    * University of Texas is holding a technology boot-camp.

These creative new takes on exploring entrepreneurship will reach out to students who may not otherwise be interested in the field.

Not only have universities created off-beat activities, but some have also stretched their imaginations in
another way by creating a truly global program. These include:

    * The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign will help to launch the World Universities Network during the Week
    * University of Wisconsin will coordinate with Wageningen University in the Netherlands to create a truly cross-cultural entrepreneurship bootcamp; and,
    * University of California, Berkeley will hold a Global Technology Leaders Conference with leaders from science, technology, business, law, and economics to exchange and debate ideas regarding society’s fundamental problems and how technology and science can solve them.

The breadth of involvement by universities is truly impressive especially amongst the most active partners.
Chapman University and the University of Miami each have 25 activities occurring during the Week, which places them together at the top of the list. Northeastern University comes in a close second
with 24.

Stay tuned for additional updates during the Week on what’s happening on a campus near you.

When I decided to move forward with Inkwell Designs, relying only on my efforts, my friends told me that I was brave. They didn’t understand how I could face such uncertainties with only my self-confidence and subject expertise. There were a thousand questions thrown at me, from all sides, family, friends, neighbors I’d never met: From where was the next paycheck coming? How was I going to pay my bills? What was I going to do if I didn’t get paid on a regular basis? How was I going to find customers? Was my dog ever going to be fed again? (This last one was a big concern because my dog is huge, and the neighbors feared for the lives of their children…and rightly so.)I understood their concern, as it is common for most of the population. People want and need security. Stepping outside the lines and attempting to create something out of nothing seems a bit nerve wracking. But what about basing your entire life on the whim of an executive you’ve never known, and who knows you only by a number or position on the org chart? Doesn’t that seem far more risky?The company I dedicated my life to over the past three years has and continues to cut the excess fat from the organization. (Let me just step back and define “dedicated” so you understand the gravity of the situation. This would be working, on average, 15- to 30-hour days, 120- to 130-hour weeks, with no overtime. Granted, the salary was nice, but after you broke down the hours, Burger King looked more promising [and had better career options!]). So as my former employer, and many other businesses in our floundering economy, release hardworking, DEDICATED employees, one has to wonder, where is the security in corporate America?To me, and I don’t expect everyone to share this opinion, but to me, it is far more certain to stand on one’s own feet, rely on one’s dedication and motivation, than to trust in the decisions of men and women who base their opinions on those of others (have you met those others??!). I know, and have seen, that no matter how much time and effort you give to a company, the relationship is not always reciprocal, whether it be pay, time away, personal satisfaction, or many of the other reasons we chose a certain place of employment. Most recently, I have seen many friends and colleagues, despite qualifications, years of service, or even relationships with the head shed managers, cast aside without a second glance.

Has to make you wonder.

In my company, I know my success begins and ends with me. I trust myself this much. The question for those who wish to control their future, or are uncertain about their path of entrepreneurship is, do you?

Or, more importantly, can you afford not to?

Hip-hop pioneer and entrepreneur Russell Simmons  launched the Race to BE. competition on Oct. 2 at the New York Stock Exchange.

The Race to BE. is the signature event of Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA, and will encourage young people to leverage their artistic abilities in film, music and fashion into entrepreneurial endeavors.

Simmons brings a lifetime of creative entrepreneurial success to his role as host of the Race. including the creation of Def Jam Records, Phat Farm and the newly launched Argyle Culture. Simmons will be joined by Carl J. Schramm, president and CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which is a national sponsor of the Race to BE. along with the Acton Foundation for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

The Race to BE. competition will focus on the genres of film, music and fashion. Each competition will take place in its respective artistic center: Los Angeles (film), Austin (music) and New York (fashion). Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 29 and submit their applications and sample of their existing creative work online at www.racetobeusa.com.

> APPLY NOW.

> Watch the archived webcast

If you are between the ages of 18-29, and will be in Los Angeles, Austin or New York in November, we want to hear from you. You can compete to be the next big entrepreneurial star in the worlds of film, music or fashion.

Click here to Apply Now

More than 1,000 partner organizations in the United States are planning activities for Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA.

Are you one? If not, and your organization will pledge to hold at least one activity during the Week, sign up to be a Partner now.

If you just want to participate in activities or simply track what is happening during the Week, sign up to be a Member. 

The Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA site will feature a collection of blogs for each of the 50 states (plus DC and U.S. territories) — highlighting plans for the Week and sharing inspiring stories from entrepreneurial individuals and organizations that recognize opportunities and work to make a difference each day. Do you have a knack for the written word? Are you willing to talk to partners and others in your state and share their plans? Do you want to interview the next up-and-coming entrepreneur in your community?

Then volunteer to be a Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA blogger.

 

At the center of Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA, young people will be testing their innovation and creativity in the Race to BE. Developed in the same vein as a reality TV show, teams of contestants in several U.S. cities will compete in unique challenges designed to reflect prominent fields in those cities. Currently, challenges are slated for Los Angeles in film (BE. The Story), Austin in music (BE. The Sound), and New York in fashion (BE. The Style).

To learn more, contact ewiley[at]unleashingideas[dot]org.

In 2007, the Kauffman Foundation sponsored Entrepreneurship Week USA -- a national effort to get young people to "think big" and "take it on." More than 1,300 organizations planned 3,700 activities celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship throughout all 50 states. Nearly half-a-million people participated in those activities.This year, we're looking to make the Week even bigger and better.s

America's history is full of entrepreneurial success stories full of imagination, creativity and innovation. Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA is designed to spark, nurture, and fine-tune those traits in our young people by inspiring enterprising behavior. Support risk-takers. Make a difference in your community. Mentor young people with real drive and real dreams. Take part in the Week, and help shape the next generation of entrepreneurs.

How? Easy.

• Tune in: Create your own account on unleashingideas.org. More and more applications will be unveiled as the Week approaches, offering you new and exciting ways to connect with others and unleash your ideas.
• Sign up: If you haven't already, register as a Partner and commit to plan at least one activity during the Week
• Reach out: Tell friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, classmates, local entrepreneurs and your community’s leaders about Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA. The more people join us this November, the richer the opportunities for American youth to network, gain experience, and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

Don't wait... get involved today!