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The Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) partnered with The University of Manchester Careers team to celebrate Self-employment Week from February 19th to 22nd, 2024. This series of events delivered a unique experience with a wealth of information, practical workshops, and networking opportunities within just a few days.

This week-long event was specifically designed for students eager to explore ways they could boost their career opportunities, especially in the realm of self-employment and entrepreneurship. This series of events was not just about imparting knowledge, but about providing a comprehensive understanding of the potential career paths that lay before students. The sessions were structured in a way that encouraged thought and discussions about the future, making one ponder the endless possibilities that stem from using an entrepreneurial mindset.

The event also catered to those who had a concept or an idea but were unsure of the next steps. The guidance and resources provided in 'Introduction to Starting a Business' were instrumental in helping students shape their ideas into actionable steps. The sessions conducted by experts in various fields gave the students the necessary tools and techniques to take their ideas forward.

One of the unique features of the week was the opportunity to learn directly from successful freelancers and individuals who are currently navigating the world of self-employment. These included a group opportunity to ask questions and learn from the fields of marketing, TV, translation, photography, journalism, and more. These interactive sessions were a treasure trove of first-hand advice and insights. Listening to their experiences and learning from their journeys was truly inspirational and provided a real-world perspective that academic resources can't always provide.

For example, certain key takeaways revolved around:

• Finding niches in your desired field and re-skilling yourself to fill that gap.
• The importance of building yourself up to companies.
• Getting inspiration from the career path of people you follow.

Wednesday鈥檚 event provided an in-depth understanding of social enterprises. The session took us through the intricacies of what a social enterprise is and how it operates. The idea of a business that balances making profits with making a positive impact on society was thoroughly discussed, leaving students with a lot to think about. It was pleasing to see several students staying around to network with each other and asking our speaker Leigh Wharton some follow-up questions.

Another key focus of the event was on improving networking skills. The importance of a strong network in the entrepreneurial world was emphasised throughout the week. The sessions in the week aimed to equip students with the skills and confidence needed to proactively build meaningful professional connections through LinkedIn and in real-life scenarios. The 'Networking for Beginners' session delivered by Adam Taylor from the careers team was particularly helpful, offering practical tips and advice on active listening, being remembered, and understanding your personal goals to help with your networking strategy without feeling overwhelmed.

Each day of the week was filled with engaging interactions from the audience. Monday鈥檚 'Intro to Starting a Business' delivered by Jessica Lewis-Tatton was a great way to kickstart the week, providing foundational knowledge and skills for their entrepreneurial journey. 'Meet the Freelancers' was another standout session that allowed attendees to network with current freelancers in various fields. The 'How to be a Socially Impactful Entrepreneur?' session was an eye-opener, teaching students about the importance of creating a positive social impact in their paths.

One of the standout quotes came from freelancer Tremaine Senior, 鈥淭hink of the traditional jobs that you would apply for and see if there are areas or pockets that you could niche yourself into鈥�. This statement summarises perfectly the main takeaway from the event: the importance of self-awareness in understanding your strengths and weaknesses and having a vision of where you want to get to.

In conclusion, Self-Employment Week was not just an event, but a journey that provided an incredible amount of insight and resources. It was an inspirational and educational experience that every student interested in entrepreneurship could benefit from.