Assignment 1: Skills Analysis / Self Assessment Exercise

In order to create and respond to job ads (i.e. Job Application Project), and to be successful in those positions, you will need an in-depth understanding of the skills required by entrepreneurs. To aid that process, the class will create and then complete a thorough, rigorous, and realistic inventory, analysis, and assessment of vital skills, abilities, qualifications, etc. The results of this activity will prepare you to interact with the job ads and lead you to a greater sense of your strengths and weaknesses. This realization (or affirmation of your current self-perceptions) is paramount to your success in subsequent projects in the course, and—I would argue—future entrepreneurial ventures. Knowing what you want and what you are good at will, in the end, save you time, energy, and money.

The project contains two steps. First, every class member will bring in a list of 15-20 skills they feel are important for entrepreneurial success. As a class, we will narrow down those skills to a list of 20 that will influence the writing of the job ads and application materials.

Based on that list, each student will write a T-letter that demonstrates their strengths. The T-letter uses two columns, one to list a skill and one to demonstrate concretely how an applicant possesses those skills. List the skills you best embody in the left hand column and then demonstrate those skills with specific experience in the right hand column. If you cannot concretely demonstrate a skill (i.e. with institutional support), you cannot include it in your T-letter.

In the end, you will be responsible for two deliverables for Assignment1:

• A list of entrepreneurial skills posted to your blog (and two comments to other students' lists)
• A T-letter analysis (based on the skills set created by the class)

Grading for Assignment 1

• 30% - Entrepreneurial Skill List
• 70% - T Letter