Name-change is a welcome message to all product innovators

“Our new cluster name speaks to our focus on product innovation, no matter the product or how technology-dependent it is,” Director of Engineering Entrepreneurship Ted Graef said about the cluster name change from Technology-based Entrepreneurship to Product Innovation.  “The classes in this cluster are from the original general entrepreneurship minor that was and continues to be open to all students of any major. The original classes have had many iterations and improvements over the years.”  The new name reflects that the program welcomes product innovators in a broad sense, including hardware, software and service products.  

Graef emphasized that the minor offers an opportunity for students seeking to get outside their comfort zone and take ownership of their career path. “Any student that wants to take charge of their career and life in general should seek out this opportunity,” he said. “This includes any student who wants to drive innovation and does not want a job where all the tasks are laid out for them. Students will learn business fundamentals to complement their major and will learn to be fearless problem solvers, creative thinkers who take educated risks, and know how to deal with ambiguity.” 

“Every student should be exposed to the entrepreneurial mindset, not just those who want to start companies,” Graef continued. “It is beneficial for all students to have these skills no matter what career path they follow. Students bring the entrepreneurial mindset into whatever they end up doing, from founding a startup to being an intrapreneur in a more traditional, large-employer setting.”  

Being part of the cluster even has benefits beyond career planning. “We get feedback that students and alumni use the mindset they learn in their personal lives, using it to be more intentional in their life goals,” Graef said. 

Graef also has a message for engineering entrepreneurship alumni. “Get involved! It’s so easy to make an impact on students in the program today. Visiting a class as a speaker, becoming a mentor to individual students or submitting class case opportunities, are just a few ways you can engage,” he said. “As an alum, you know that the best students are part of this program—consider hiring them for internships or after graduation. Just reach out to get connected.” 

How did the engineering entrepreneurship program impact your life and career? Email tedgraef@psu.edu to share your story or to make an impact on current students.