Entrepreneurship: A Natural Choice for the Engineers

On 19.9.2024 a session was organized on the title “Entrepreneurship: A Natural Choice for the Engineers” by the Entrepreneurship Development Cell and IIC in association with the Electronics and Communication Engineering department. The session was handled by Dr. Lourdes Poobala Rayen, IIC President, Francis Xavier Engineering College. 230 students and 2 faculty participated in the program. This event was coordinated by Dr. R Prem Ananth, IIC Convener, IIC Innovation Ambassador for "Design thinking & Innovations", Assistant professor, Francis Xavier Engineering College.

The guest speaker began the session by explaining why engineers are inherently well-suited for entrepreneurship. He emphasized that engineers are trained to approach problems methodically, which aligns with the entrepreneurial mindset of identifying problems and developing solutions. Their ability to innovate, coupled with a strong foundation in technology, makes them ideal candidates for launching startups, especially in industries driven by rapid technological advancements. He said how the engineering discipline equips individuals with the skills to build scalable and impactful solutions. The guest speaker highlighted the importance of leveraging technology in entrepreneurship, particularly in the current climate where digital transformation is reshaping industries. He stressed the need for engineers to think beyond traditional career paths and instead focus on how their technical skills could create value in new and emerging markets.

He highlighted key factors that contribute to entrepreneurial success, they are
Identifying market needs: Engineers need to develop an understanding of customer pain points and create solutions that address real-world problems.
Product development and scalability: He emphasized the importance of designing products that are scalable and adaptable to changing market demands.
Business acumen: While technical skills are critical, speaker urged engineers to acquire basic business knowledge, such as financial management, marketing, and strategic planning, to effectively lead a startup.

As the concluding remark, speaker encouraged the students to explore entrepreneurship as a viable and rewarding career path. He said that startups offer engineers the opportunity to not only apply their technical knowledge but also to create something meaningful and impactful for society. He also said that the entrepreneurial ecosystem today is more supportive than ever, with access to incubators, accelerators, and funding opportunities that help engineers turn their ideas into reality.