Hey students! Get ready for your bright future — Get involved with E&I

Learn to solve real-world problems. Learn creative thinking. Learn and practice a mindset that will help you become your own boss -- or be invaluable to a company

We call it "E&I" -- and it stands for the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Program at the College of Ag Sciences. It's a mindset, preparation for a successful career -- and a lot of fun.

"E&I provides a different perspective and skill set to supplement your education in more technical subjects so you are more equipped to solve real-world problems," said Hunter Swisher, CEO and Founder of Phospholutions, 2016 Plant Sciences graduate, and Ag Springboard finalist in 2016.

Phospholutions develops products to improve fertilizer use, cut costs and improve plant quality.

For more about Swisher and the E&I Program: The Generation of the Agripreneur, in Ag Science Magazine's summer 2018 issue.

StandOut to Employers

Monica Caldwell graduated in spring 2018 in Agribusiness Management with a minor in Entrepreneurship.

"My time within the AgSci Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I) program was not only eye opening, but an asset moving forward in my career," said Caldwell.

"I find myself looking at different problems and opportunities and asking "what if?' What if I tried 'this' or 'that', where would it lead me? At first, this can be a daunting question, but what I've learned over the past year from Penn State's E&I classes is that there are many tools and methods to help lessen your risk and potentially increase your success."

More on classes and the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Minor.

"I found while interviewing for jobs that many employers also value someone with this entrepreneurial mindset," said Caldwell.

"Being able to write on my resume that my minor was in entrepreneurship and innovation sparked great conversations and I believe, helped to set me apart from other candidates.

"I truly enjoyed my time in the E&I program. The professors who teach these classes and the students in them are some of the best people to surround yourself with. I am excited to see how this program continues to grow and am grateful for the time I've been able to spend as a part of it."

Share the Excitement

Taylor Clayton, journalism, 2016, a former communications intern for the E&I Program:

"I feel lucky that I was able to work with the E&I program at Penn State. The students, faculty and staff are extremely passionate and it shows in their work.

The program also welcomes all students," said Clayton.

"I talked with students who had different majors, backgrounds and interests, but shared the same excitement and entrepreneurial mindset," said Clayton.

"Anyone and everyone involved in this program can't help but get caught up in the excitement of the next big thing!" ~Taylor Clayton, 2016 journalism graduate and former E&I communications intern

Look for E&I at the Student Involvement Fair Weds, Aug. 29 on the Creamery Lawn. The E&I table will be decked in orange.

Our E&I student team will be happy to introduce you to all that E&I offers for students at the College of Agricultural Sciences:

• classes to learn and explore entrepreneurship.
• ways to meet entrepreneurs, often who recently graduated college, and learn their stories.
• an option to earn a minor in entrepreneurship, focusing on food and bio-innovation.
• a chance to win $7,500 and learn to pitch in the Ag Springboard student business pitch contest (like Shark Tank, but for ag sciences students!)
• day-trip to visit alumnus Dan Eichenlaub's innovative landscape design-build firm, Eichenlaub, Inc., in Pittsburgh on September 25.

Learn more about Ag Springboard at three sessions in the upcoming weeks, all at 6 Armsby:

• Sept. 18, Ag Springboard open house, 6-7:30
• Oct. 22, Ag Springboard open house, 5-6:30
• Nov. 13, Ag Springboard open house, 5-6:30

Like our page for students on Facebook: @MakeItHappenPennState, and our program page: @psuaginnovation.