1) I am currently double majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Mathematics. By trying to complete these degrees, I have definitely been encouraged to engage in entrepreneurial thinking. First, I am currently doing my senior research in math. I have had to come up with a good research topic. I have had to be creative and have a lot of motivation while trying to have the best research I possibly can have. Second, I have learned from a lot of my business professors the importance of taking initiative and trying to find the best solution to a problem. When talking about marketing, I have learned that it is so beneficial to know that when you are selling a product, you are not only selling the product, but you are also selling yourself to the potential market.
2) Entrepreneurs must be evaluated with a process perspective. If an entrepreneur were only evaluated at one phase of the entrepreneurial process, then lots of problems could arise. For example, an entrepreneur could be evaluated at the initial stage of finding an opportunity for a new product. However great that idea may be, if they do not go out and raise capital and funds for their idea, it will be pointless. Another error would be in managing the business as a whole. Once the product is out there for the public, an entrepreneur must be managing his or her business in order to be successful.
3) As someone that aspires to become an actuary, the next 5 years for me are probably going to include: 1) Getting an internship this summer as an actuary; 2) Study for and take beginning actuarial science exams; 3) Graduate from Birmingham-Southern; 4) Start working as an actuarial analyst for a company.
Traits and competencies: 1) Vision and optimism with the internship; 2) Motivation and test-taking skill management for studying for the tests; 3) Goal mindset and self-confidence; 4) Risk-taking and networking.