Pay
your way through school by jump-starting your
career.
Redefining
Office Space
By
Robyn Tellefsen
October/November 2002
The
CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- If you've
ever rented the 1999 JENNIFER ANISTON flick,
Office Space, or read Dilbert,
you know cubicles and fax machines are often
a cause of great stress and anxiety to disenchanted
employees. Young entrepreneurs taking advantage
of the new Student Enterprises Program at
Houghton College, however, have a different
view. They see office space as a way to
get their businesses off the ground, and
score some much-needed college cash.
The
Houghton, NY-based school began the business
incubator program to provide students with
space and key resources rent-free. Amenities
such as dedicated phone lines and high-speed
Internet connections are available to those
who will write business plans to be implemented,
and use faculty members as a resource in
their endeavors. One student, Matt Eubanks,
a senior majoring in business and political
science, avails himself of professorial
assistance to run MDCall
Inc., a computerized answering service
for doctors.
Has
Matt's business been showing him the money,
though? "Definitely," he declares.
"My business secured me a job after
college." Though his parents help him
out with college costs, Matt estimates his
business earnings could at least pay this
year's school bill of over $22,000.
Dan Yarrington, a senior majoring in English
and business, has also been cashing in on
his company. He's the co-founder of Myriad
Games, a Web site that sells collectible
games and offers specialized services for
players.
By
utilizing the school program, Dan is capitalizing
on his college classes. "I get the
hands-on experience of taking what I'm learning
in accounting, and being able to apply it
immediately," he shares. "That's
invaluable!"
While
scholarships cover most of his educational
expenses, Dan's business income has helped
in other areas. "[My partner and I]
have been able to pay ourselves back for
our investment," he says. "It's
at least equivalent to working somewhere
else -- but it's a lot more interesting!"
Matt
and Dan aren't the only student business
owners who can reap college cash rewards,
either. "There's a great potential
benefit for the average student to help
subsidize college education costs,"
affirms Ken Bates, chair of Houghton's business
department.
If
you've already got your own business, or
would like to try it out for some college
funds, there's no need to defer your dream
while you get educated. Through programs
like this, you can have office space, make
some money -- and even enjoy the view!
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