Entrepreneurship
Pursuing my Entrepreneurship minor has given me the mindset and tools to bring real ideas to life - and that’s exactly what led to the creation of CourseLens. What started as a small idea to make course registration less frustrating turned into a full venture aimed at helping students make smarter, more personalized academic decisions. Through the minor, I learned how to identify real problems, talk to users, test assumptions, and build something people actually need. CourseLens pulls together everything I’ve learned so far - from understanding customer pain points to pitching, prototyping, and gathering feedback. It’s been a hands-on way to explore how entrepreneurship can drive change in higher education, and it’s pushed me to keep thinking creatively about how tech can solve real student challenges.
Reflection
Opportunity Recognition & Risk Assessment
Working on CourseLens taught me how to recognize real student needs and evaluate different ways to solve them. Using tools like Lean Canvas and SWOT analysis helped me weigh risks and make smarter decisions about how to move forward.
Clear & Concise Communication
Through pitches, outreach, and feedback sessions, I’ve learned how to communicate ideas clearly and logically. I’ve especially focused on explaining technical concepts in simple, compelling ways that connect with different audiences.
Team Collaboration
Building CourseLens has shown me how valuable teamwork is in entrepreneurship. My co-founder and I split responsibilities - tech and outreach - and learned how to stay aligned through clear communication and shared goals.
Entrepreneurship for Social Impact
CourseLens addresses more than just course registration - it tackles a broader issue of access to information in higher ed. I’ve learned how entrepreneurial thinking can be a tool for equity and real-world impact.