Startup internships bring studentpreneurs to the fore

According to StartupAUS, startups are now recognised as leading job creators worldwide, and high-growth startups are the primary driver of Australia’s new jobs growth.

In preparation for this new work reality, UTS Innovation and Entrepreneurship is piloting a Startup Internships program aimed at inspiring students to create their own jobs through entrepreneurship.

For Polina Pashkov, a recent graduate from the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation and Bachelor of Communication, the biggest barrier to becoming an entrepreneur was the word itself.

“It sounds a bit scary. To be an entrepreneur you think you’ve got to know business, law and bookkeeping. That’s simply not the case.”

The co-founder of Stitch Hub, one of more than 50 student-led startups to join the UTS Startups fold, shared her experiences as an intern-come-entrepreneur at the recent ‘Intern with a Startup’ event as part of the UTS Careers Festival of Future You.  

The event saw questions posed and connections made, as students got a taste of the breadth of opportunity to come from Startup Internships.

Polina was joined by Fishburners Head of Community Henry Weaver, Ribit Director and Founder Liz Jakubowski, and StartSomeGood CEO and Founder Tom Dawkins, for a panel discussion around the key career avenues, skills and attributes in the startup world.

“It’s ok if you don’t have a specialised body of knowledge, what matters most is your ability to adapt to new knowledge,” Dawkins told the audience.

“Growing up, I had no particular sense of what I wanted to do. I knew I was looking for something meaningful and different, and a few leadership opportunities later I began to think; how can I make this a universal experience?”

For Jakubowski, inspiration came from a trip to the United States in 2015.

“We were told the world is about to change in a massive way and that one of the critical factors in the race to innovate the fastest would be talent.”

Considering the growing onus on skills, she set out to connect smart entrepreneurial students with fast-growing companies.

“I came back with the idea for Ribit. The students being the frogs swimming around in the pond that is the startup ecosystem. If we can create a really supportive pond which enables those frogs to swim in a healthy way, it’s a sign of a healthy ecosystem.”

Weaver, who is coordinating Fishburners’ involvement in the Startup Internships pilot, added that partnerships between universities and the startup community have a huge potential to lower the barriers to entrepreneurship.

“It’s easier than ever to get into the startup ecosystem, and we’re seeing that with the partnership with UTS. I want more interns to put their hand up and get involved in this program. There is a skills shortage at the moment, but it’s right here in this room.”

This sentiment was echoed by UTS Director of Entrepreneurship Murray Hurps, who encouraged students to make the most of the university environment and consider creating their own jobs through UTS Startups.   

“It will never be easier in your life to launch a startup than it is right now. You’re surrounded by talent. This is the most fertile ground you’ll be in for becoming a startup founder,” he told the gathered students.

Pashkov, whose foray into entrepreneurship began through internships with Project Everest, Red Garage Ventures, Aeona and CHOICE, advised students to learn by doing.

“Seek out entrepreneurial experiences which compliment your degree. Prior to starting Stitch Hub, I had no prior business knowledge. Instead, I found my bearings through extracurricular activities such as interning and starting the BCII Connect society.”

“Whether you’re a startup founder or prospective intern, it’s important not to dwell on the skills that you don’t have. Skills can be taught. The best thing you can do is knock down some doors and pursue your interests to uncover your personal brand.”

Following the panel discussion, 20 employers looking to expand their teams had the chance to pitch and network with some of the talent brewing at UTS.

A diverse range of ecosystem groups were represented, among them venture capital firm Reinventure, startup hubs Stone & Chalk and Tank Stream Labs, Australia’s largest startup conference StartCon, and emerging startups Kindershare and Radiate Coaching.

The Startup Internships program will pilot from August to November this year, matching 20 students with startups at either Fishburners, EnergyLab or Microsoft based on their skills, interests and desired outcomes.

“Startup communities offer a safe, diverse and open-minded environment for students to jump in the deep end and experiment with their career trajectories." added James Francis, who is leading the Startup Internships pilot.

Francis, also UTS Communication alumni and the beneficiary of interning with a startup, has chosen more of an intrapreneurial career path and is currently the Senior Strategy and Engagement Officer at the UTS Innovation and Entrepreneurship Unit.

“Whilst it’s a steep learning curve, there is something for everyone in the startup ecosystem. The scope of work spans multiple disciplines, industries, technologies and causes; the workspaces are purpose-built for productivity and collaboration; support is never far away and the potential for impact is immense.”