Wura Oni’s Transformative Spring Break: An Adventure in Entrepreneurship
Spring had sprung, painting the Bryn Mawr campus in vibrant hues of green and pink. It was — the year, you know? The one where we were all still trying to remember how to be “normal” again. Anyway, it was the spring semester of Wura Oni’s final year, and a familiar ache for something more settled in her heart. Sure, she was excited about graduation, but the thought of launching into the “real world” felt more daunting than a pop quiz on organic chemistry.
Wura, a politics and economics double major with a side hustle of acing every debate team showdown, craved more than just a traditional spring break. She was on a quest, you feel me? A quest for personal and professional growth, something beyond the usual beach-bumming and margarita-sipping. That’s when she stumbled upon a beacon of hope—a flyer for the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Intensive hosted by Bryn Mawr’s Career & Civic Engagement Center. Could this be the adventure she’d been waiting for?
A Deep Dive into Innovation
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Intensive wasn’t your typical yawn-fest lecture series. This was a two-day immersive retreat, a crash course in all things entrepreneurship. Picture this: a room buzzing with energy, innovative ideas bouncing off the walls like those little super bouncy balls we used to have as kids. It was lit, fam! Little did Wura know, these two days would become a defining moment in her college journey, planting the seeds for a future she’d only dared dream of.
Entrepreneurs: Fresh Out of College, Just Like Us
One of the most impactful aspects of the intensive was the opportunity to hear from actual, real-life entrepreneurs. And not those ancient ones who started their businesses when phones were attached to walls, nah. These were people fresh out of the college oven, just like Wura and her peers. They shared their journeys, their struggles, their “aha” moments—basically, all the good stuff they don’t put in those glossy business magazines.
The key takeaway? Failure wasn’t this big, bad monster hiding under the bed. It was more like a slightly grumpy mentor, there to teach you valuable lessons and nudge you in the right direction. Wura learned that embracing risk, fueled by passion and a whole lotta perseverance, was the secret sauce to entrepreneurial success.
One entrepreneur, a young woman who started a sustainable clothing line, shared a story that really hit home for Wura. She talked about how her first big product launch was a total flop—like, crickets chirping, tumbleweeds rolling kind of flop. But instead of throwing in the towel and binging on ice cream (though let’s be real, we’ve all been there), she took a step back, analyzed what went wrong, and used that “failure” as fuel to revamp her strategy. The next launch? A smash hit. Hearing her story made Wura realize that setbacks weren’t roadblocks, they were detours on the road to success. Deep, right?
Women in Medicine: Breaking Barriers in Science and Entrepreneurship
The intensive wasn’t all about sitting in a classroom, though. The highlight for Wura was a visit to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Now, I know what you’re thinking—hospitals aren’t exactly known for being the life of the party. But this wasn’t your average hospital visit. Wura and her fellow students got to meet with some seriously impressive women who were rocking it in both medicine and entrepreneurship. Talk about girl power!
These weren’t just doctors and researchers, they were inventors, innovators, and straight-up superheroes in lab coats. They were developing groundbreaking medical devices, creating life-saving therapies, and basically changing the world, one patient at a time. Wura was blown away by their ability to not only excel in their fields but to also break down barriers and challenge the status quo. It was like witnessing the Avengers assemble, but for science and stuff.
One woman’s story, in particular, left an indelible mark on Wura. A pediatric oncologist who had developed a less invasive method for detecting cancer in children. She talked about how her own experiences as a doctor, witnessing firsthand the struggles of her young patients, fueled her passion to find a better way. But what truly resonated with Wura was her emphasis on the power of collaboration. She stressed that none of her achievements would have been possible without the support of a network of mentors, colleagues, and fellow innovators. It was a powerful reminder that even superheroes need sidekicks.
Leaders in Business, Finance, and Law: Navigating the Professional Landscape
The intensive wasn’t all sunshine and inspiration, though. Wura and her peers also had the opportunity to rub elbows (figuratively, of course) with successful women in the often-intimidating worlds of business, finance, and law. These were the women who had climbed the corporate ladder in their stilettos, shattered glass ceilings, and basically wrote the book on how to slay in the professional world. They shared their insights on everything from starting a business (spoiler alert: it’s not for the faint of heart) to navigating the complex worlds of finance and law.
Wura learned about the importance of being adaptable and strategic, especially in today’s ever-changing market. The business mogul in the group stressed the importance of having a solid financial plan (who knew budgeting could be so crucial?) and being resourceful. Meanwhile, the lawyer dropped some serious knowledge about the legal side of things, like how to protect your ideas and avoid any legal snafus that could land you in hot water. Basically, it was a crash course in adulting, but way more interesting than any lecture on taxes and 401Ks.
As Wura listened to these women share their triumphs and challenges, she felt a newfound sense of confidence bubbling up inside her. It was like they were passing the torch, showing her and her fellow students that they, too, had the power to achieve great things. These women weren’t born CEOs and partners at law firms; they had worked their butts off, learned from their mistakes, and carved their own paths to success. And guess what? Wura realized that she could do the same.