BluePrint is Here!

This has been an eventful week. I’ve been making applications to a range of different grad jobs and postgraduate programmes (for anyone lucky enough to have landed an interview, I recommend reading Katie’s interview guide which can be found here) but one of the major highlights of my week has been attending BluePrint.

What is BluePrint? I’m glad you asked handsome stranger. BluePrint is a student-run platform where student entrepreneurs across different universities can come together and become aware of each other. It is the brain-child of two talented student entrepreneurs here at the University of Leicester (UOL): Qoy Lawal and Hawa Mansaray. The first networking session for BluePrint occurred on the 27^th April 2016 at the Charles Wilson Building on the UOL campus and it was a huge success. The event brought together aspiring students from different universities; in addition to, a panel of established guest entrepreneurs (most of which are in their early 20s) for what was truly an inspiring event. The guest entrepreneurs included: Alexander Fefegha and Richard Fagbolagun co-founders of Comuzi, a brilliant design and innovation firm; Boyin Akinlade founder of The Cookie Experience, London’s first online-based cookie store; and Ibrahim Kamara CEO of GUAP magazine, the world’s first video magazine. Meeting like-minded students was an excellent networking opportunity and listening to the guest entrepreneurs reinforced the notion that it is possible to be your own boss. The Career Development Service was also present; providing useful guidance, an explanation of their resources and some great reading recommendations (e.g. The 100 dollar start-up and Rich Dad Poor Dad) to keep attendees inspired.

I personally learned a lot from the whole experience and I made some really promising connections. With that in mind, I can’t wait to see what else BluePrint get up to in the future!