Innovation and Entrepreneurship Careers

What Can I Do with an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Degree?

Nebraska Wesleyan’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship major is designed to stand on its own, or to complement and amplify the value of another primary area of study. So a chemist, musician and athletic trainer will use what they learn in this program in very different ways.

The possible career applications of an Innovation and Entrepreneurship major are as vast as Nebraska Wesleyan’s comprehensive areas of study. They include:

Business development manager

Business developers assist companies to acquire new customers and sell additional products or services to existing ones. They look for opportunities in current markets by expanding to new sectors or opportunities overseas. Knowledge of local culture, language, government regulations, competitors and markets is required to succeed in international markets. They will look to expand the current client portfolio and make new contacts. Competitor and market information must be collected and analyzed by a professional within this area.

Consultant

Consultants use their knowledge and experience within any industry to help companies save costs without compromising the quality of their services or processes. Some of the important skills they have are critical thinking to find solutions that will benefit the company, problem-solving skills to come up with recommendations, and communication to relay complex information effectively.

Entrepreneur

Every industry needs risk-takers who identify market opportunities, develop innovative ideas and create new ventures. Whether it’s launching a tech startup, a social enterprise, or a retail business, being an entrepreneur is about bringing your ideas to life, building a team and make a meaningful impact on society.

Nonprofit executive director

Every successful nonprofit requires dynamic and visionary leaders in addition to someone with solid management, fundraising, and communication skills. They must be able to work with diverse stakeholders, develop strategies for the best utilization of their resources, and the ability to chart new paths allowing their organizations to grow and thrive.

Policy analyst

Policy analysts combine strong technical skills with the ability to think creatively about society's biggest problems. They can be responsible for writing and researching policy, collecting evidence regarding the effectiveness of current policy, and advising local, state, and national leaders on the best course of future action.

Product manager

In any field, product managers are the ones responsible for aligning product development with customer needs and business objectives. This interdisciplinary work involves defining product features, conducting market research, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Product managers also facilitate communication between stakeholders, ensuring a successful product launch.

Sales and marketing professional

Sales and marketing professionals plan campaigns to create interest in their product or service always keeping the end goal or big picture in mind. They create and evaluate marketing strategies and manage teams.

Startup founder

Startup founders develop business ideas and take them to market while taking on the risks involved in establishing a new company. They raise funding from venture capitalists and others and develop a strong business plan to generate support for their venture. This includes determining resources during the initial stages of the business, sales forecasting and costs analysis, among other tasks.

Additional career fields could include:

• Biotechnologist
• Climate change scientist
• Intrapreneur
• Research and development
• TV/movie producer
• UX designer
• Writer
• and more ...