Akshitha Venkataraman

Students at UT have found innovative ways to leverage their interests and hobbies. From photography to cake-making businesses, students at UT continue to prove their ambition and business acumen. For students who are pondering a side project, know that there are students on the Forty Acres who are balancing it all and setting themselves up for success early on. 

Pursuing entrepreneurial efforts as a student offers a multitude of professional and career benefits. Being on campus, you are able to use campus resources, for example, career services and professors. There is only so much a classroom can teach you, and gaining experience in the real world can teach you so much about how rewarding it can be to run a business. 

Students who are managing businesses have learned the importance of building clientele, resourcing and staying in the green. To put it simply, they understand how to keep a business afloat — responsibility and connectedness.

Bailey Zhang, a management and information systems senior, found her passion in photography. Zhang runs an Instagram account that solicits her photography services for students who need headshots or graduation photos. The ability to communicate with a variety of her peers has fueled her mission. 

“The most valuable part of the photography business … is being able to interact with different people, having that experience in dealing with different perspectives and making them comfortable and happy,” said Zhang. 

The productivity and hustle culture in America can cause burnout and dissatisfaction with life. So, starting a business may feel daunting, but occupying your time with passion projects can be a form of self-care. It gives you the chance to indulge in a project that is all about you. Some students at UT have learned to prioritize enriching experiences, and they are able to occupy their free time pursuing their passions in a productive way. 

Let’s face it — the majority of Generation Z has fallen victim to the digital world, leaning on AI and online resources to solve all their problems, from homework to boredom. Instead of relaxing by way of  “doomscrolling” on TikTok and Instagram, some students have taken the liberty to use these resources for more meaningful pursuits, for instance, creating social media pages for their businesses or connecting with customers. 

Motivation plays a big role in getting the ball rolling. Developing a reason for doing what you do keeps you in the right space. Recognizing that there is only so much time to pursue your hobbies before you start a full-time job is essential. 

Lila Gonzalez is a freshman Plan II and advertising major who runs her own business called Wholesome from Scratch. Her story originates from her love for nutritional baking. 

“(My goal) long-term, it would be to continue making products,” Gonzalez said. “Maybe that extends to retail, like on shelves in grocery stores and everything.”

For those who are looking to start a business or side project in college, don’t put too much pressure on the trajectory or success of the venture. Consider the soft skills that you develop in the meantime. 

Although it may be hard to maintain a business while attending classes and pursuing collegiate endeavors, brainstorming ideas and nurturing an entrepreneurial mind will help you explore opportunities for yourself out of college. 

Shenoy is an English and economics major from Houston, Texas.