Katherine Olives
One question we always get at the Zahn Center is how students can get involved with us, especially if they don't have a startup idea of their own. A great place to start is with the Entrepreneurship Student Club (ESC) on campus. Their mission is to build a community of innovation, inspiration, leadership, and collaboration. They believe that entrepreneurship stems from solving problems, and in unification and collaboration, entrepreneurs can solve many of those problems faster and more efficiently. I sat down with Raneem Elsayed, CFO and Events Director of ESC. She gave me the inside scoop about what the club is planning to do on campus this semester, and talked about what inspires her as an entrepreneurial thinker.
The Zahn Center: Tell me a little bit about how the Entrepreneurship Club was started and how you got involved.
Raneem Elsayed: ESC was started last year. There was definitely a need for an entrepreneurship club on campus. When I heard about it, I was like of course we need this. To me, its a club that brings creative minds together, and I joined because that resonated with me.
ZC: So, its a club for innovative students of all disciplines?
RE: Exactly. Im not a business major, Im a history major. Someday, I want work in human resources, and maybe go to law school after that. I might have a startup–I actually have a secret entrepreneurial idea–but Ive always been interested in small business and learning the ins and outs of starting something from scratch. This club gives me an outlet to explore that, and explore other things Im interested in.
Zahn: Like what?
RE: Were hosting a lot of workshops on topics that you might not cover in the classroom. There will be workshops on freelancing, personal branding, coding, and leadership. I think all of these skills are important to learn, regardless of your career path.
Zahn: I completely agree. We have a saying at the Zahn Center–“The best skill to learn is how to be scrappy.” No matter what the economy is like, and no matter what obstacles life throws at you, if youre scrappy youll get through it.
RE: Exactly. Most of those skills are timeless.
Zahn: Is ESC hosting other events this semester?
RE: Just last week we hosted Karim Abouelnaga, Founder and CEO of Practice Makes Perfect. It was really inspiring (and you can check out videos from it on our Facebook Page!). We want to host an entrepreneurship summit and possibly another big event at the end of the semester. Wed also like to put together some field trips to different companies, and bring companies here to recruit students.
Zahn: What will the summit be about?
RE: Last year, the theme was VR. It was techie and cool, but this year, we really want to highlight entrepreneurship in and of itself.
Zahn: I think you are all off to a great start–your club must be growing, right?
RE: We have about 15 active students and our E-Board, and over 100 on our mailing list. To me, its definitely growing to be more than a club. Were looking to build an agency under the club that would essentially hire students to put together marketing plans for local businesses. We want to be a resource for local businesses in the area.
Zahn: Those are some big goals! Whats your role in that?
RE: Im the CFO/Events Director of ESC, which is perfect because they go hand in hand. Im really excited to put all of these events together for CCNY students, and Ill be overseeing the clubs budget.
Zahn: So how do other students get involved with ESC?
RE: Well be tabling during club hours in the NAC every week, and they can definitely come see us there. These tabling sessions wont be your normal join our club type of thing. Theyll be what we like to call Workshops in Action. Well be doing mini-workshops so that you can learn something cool in between classes.
If you're a City College student who is looking to create change within your community, be sure to catch up with Raneem and her team at their next tabling during club hours. Or check them out on social media @ccnyesc.