Entrepreneurship at Cal State L.A. is offered as an option within the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, In addition, a credit certificate program in Entrepreneurship is offered for students majoring in other fields. The option is administered by the Department of Marketing.
Entrepreneurship involves the process of developing new ideas and bringing together and managing land, people, and capital to bring these ideas successfully to the marketplace. About 20 percent or more of today's business school graduates pursue careers with small firms and the number is growing.
The entrepreneurship option prepares students to start their own businesses, to work for small businesses (those that employ 50 or fewer employees), or to introduce a new product or idea into the marketplace.
The option courses available for entrepreneurship students include the marketing and managing of business activities. Other courses available include salesmanship, principles of retailing, introduction to transportation, international business, marketing research, business consulting, mail order/direct mail marketing, and import/export just to name a few.
For students in the Entrepreneurship option, there are excellent career opportunities in a wide variety of fields. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 70 percent of the nation's 10 million business concerns are small businesses, accounting for 43 percent of the gross national product and 58 percent of the work force in the United States. Two million are located within California, representing 49 percent of the business entities and creating 97 percent of the new jobs. According to Money magazine, in 1995, one percent of the population make over $200,000 a year. Of these individuals, 46 percent own their own business and 29 percent have their own professional practice while only 33 percent work for a public/private corporation.
For students who desire work experience with small businesses, paid internships are available. While participating in an internship, students may be eligible to earn college credit.
Students are welcome to join the Entrepreneurial Association, which sponsors seminars where members can hear first hand how successful entrepreneurs got started. Pi Sigma Epsilon Association, a marketing organization, is also available to students wishing to gain experience in various marketing related activities. Those who qualify also may join the campus' Eta chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, the national horror society for business. They also may join the campus chapters of Golden Key an Phi Kappa Phi national honor societies which are open to qualified students in all academic disciplines. In addition, numerous scholarship are available to students in all disciplines who meet established criteria.
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Option: Entrepreneurship
Certificate Offered
Entrepreneurship
Career Opportunities
Working for or start your own business
Advertising
Consulting
International import/export
Manufacturing
Real Estate
Retailing
Service Businesses
Transportation
Wholesaling