Four reasons students should join the Job Crawl, discover the startup route

As we prepare to host three of our fall Startup Job Crawls in the coming weeks, we wanted to remind students and startups how important an event like this is to our community. Not only does it provide an environment to discover a world of startups perhaps unknown to students, but it opens the door…

Students and startups can still register to partake in the Startup Job Crawls happening this month. 

As we prepare to host three of our fall Startup Job Crawls in the coming weeks, we wanted to remind students and startups how important an event like this is to our community. Not only does it provide an environment to discover a world of startups perhaps unknown to students, but it opens the door to future career opportunities, great hires, mentors and much, much more between the entrepreneurs and startups involved.

For the first time, we’re pairing with the University of Kansas School of Business and co-creating the KC version of the event. We’re working with Foster Casterline—a Jayhawk senior—to faciliate a true crawl and tour Kansas City, and we’ve solicited his advice on why students should discover the startup community.

More about the Job Crawl: We’re hosting the Job Crawl event from 5-7 p.m. in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 12, and in Des Moines on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Our special KC edition takes place Friday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more, see our post: SPN Job Crawl returns this November to Omaha, Des Moines and KC.


About the author: Foster Casterline is a senior at the University of Kansas focusing on research, technology and entrepreneurship. As the president of the Information Systems Association of KU (ISAK), he is working to build a collaborative community of student technologists and entrepreneurs. To further connect students, he is spearheading the first Startup Job Crawl in Kansas City.

I was first introduced to the KC startup scene through my internship at Local Ruckus. I met co-founders Adam Arredondo and Matthew Marcus a little over a year ago when they spoke to IS@K and the KU Entrepreneurship Club. They came looking for interns and it was exactly the opportunity I was looking for.

At the time, most students were (and still are), unaware of the opportunities out there with startups. There is a whole other world of learning experiences that will arguably do more to prepare you than a traditional internship at a large company—what most students see as the only option. For me, working with a startup while still in school was one of the best decisions I could’ve made. This isn’t about what looks the best on your resume, this is about what will allow you to learn the most and have the biggest impact. It’s about the benefits of being employee number nine instead of 9,000.

Here’s why going the startup route makes sense for students:

1. You have the safety net

Startups are extremely risky, but with that risk comes the possibility of an even higher return. As students, we have a unique advantage over everyone else: an excuse to fail. The high risk of a startup doesn’t apply to most of us. While we’re in college we should be taking those long shots because we can afford to. We’ll likely fail, but who cares? And if we make it, we make it big enough to drop out.

2. You will be challenged and learn more

You will be expected to wear many hats and carry more than your own weight. You’re almost guaranteed to work more hours than a traditional internship and have to do things you’re uncomfortable with. If you’re ambitious, you see this as a good thing. You may party less but you’ll be learning how to build and run a company. Now if you do decide to go the corporate route after graduation, you’ll be armed to the teeth with great answers to interview questions. 

3. You will build a larger network

The startup community in Kansas City is incredibly inclusive to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially students. It will be impossible for you to leave an event without a pocketful of business cards and future lunch dates. Everyone understands the importance of developing relationships between students and the community, so you’re kind of a big deal. But don’t let that go to your head.

4. There are a ton of opportunities

Doesn’t matter if you’re a student entrepreneur, technologist, developer, writer or designer, there are startups in Kansas City looking for your talent. There is a shortage of students that is quickly being filled by those who are aware. Now is the absolute best time to get involved.

For the students reading this, I urge you to consider working for a startup and exploring what the Startup Job Crawl has to offer. It’ll be challenging, but you can afford to take risks, you’ll learn a lot, you’ll meet some amazing people, and you’ll know you’re wanted. You just need to go out and see it for yourself. 

 

STUDENT REGISTRATION

STARTUP REGISTRATION

 

Omaha Job Crawl 

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 12 

Time: 5-7 p.m. 

Location: The Mastercraft 

Kansas City Job Crawl 

Date: Friday, Nov. 15 

Time: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Starting location: Kansas City Startup Village 

Des Moines Job Crawl 

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 19

Time: 5-7 p.m.

Starting location: StartupCity Des Moines

 

Thanks to our partners

Thanks to our partners—Hudl, Hayneedle and Webfilings—for supporting the Startup Job Crawl this fall. We’re grateful for their help and proud to host the event in conjuction with them.

 

Credits: Photo by Brittany Masico; Foster Casterline head shot courtesy Casterline. 

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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