Preparing Students for Entrepreneurship at East Carolina University
Tell us a little about your role at ECU? How long have you been teaching?
I have been teaching at ECU for the past 9 years. My role has progressed from Photography Area Coordinator to Assistant Director of the School of Art and Design and coordinator of our undergraduate programs. I teach half time at this point (3 photography courses a year) and work with all aspects of our undergrad BFA programs from recruitment, through curriculum development, to graduation.
Artist Daniel Kariko: Sun Room Corner, August 26th [Owlet Moth] from the Project Suburban Symbiosis: Insectum domesticus
What has your photography career been like? Is it primarily fine art? Do you ever work commercially?
My career has been primarily academic, within the fine art field. I started working at Florida State University (Non-Tenure Track) immediately after my graduate school. I have never worked commercially, other than occasional wedding early on…
Did the SPE/ASMP survey results surprise you? What is your perception of the business education for photography higher education students in general?
Not many results surprised me, but I am happy to see that the majority of survey participants still tend to be tenured or tenure track. That could be due to the organization bias. There is a great amount of adjunct faculty, and I would like to see the longer timescale on that field- Whether the pathway of those in Adjunct or Non- Tenure Track positions leads to permanent academic positions, or not. I feel that business education for photography is crucial in some form for our students. We provide a lot of it through our capstone courses, but if there’s an opportunity I always encourage students to seek out their own resources. However, where we fall short in art school is providing information for business planning, and money management.
Your college has a unique program offering for students that want to learn how to run their own business when they graduate. Can you tell us about it?
College of Business at our university offers 4-course Entrepreneurship Certificate, aimed at future small-business owners. Here is a description: The multidisciplinary Entrepreneurship Certificate is designed for non-business majors and appealing to anyone who may either operate their own for-profit or nonprofit business now or in the future. It is also helpful to those who will have careers working in small/medium sized firms or in related fields. The following four courses are required: FINA 3500 — Money Management for Entrepreneurs MGMT 3500 — Entrepreneurship Essentials MGMT 4500 — Entrepreneurial Business Planning MKTG 3500 — Entrepreneurial Opportunities & Marketing
Does your photo program teach students specific business skills like writing contracts, copyright, and licensing?
We cover the basics of copyright, contracts, and grant applications in our senior classes. We tend to change the focus, based on the interests of our photo students’ cohorts.
Do you encourage your students to participate in any professional organizations?
Yes- Mostly SPE, ASMP, and in the past PPA
You have been an active member of SPE, what would you say to new students considering becoming a member?
I feel that my particular career direction benefited immensely from my SPE membership and the contacts I developed over years. I think it is a great resource for early career photographers.
Are you a member of ASMP?
No
What additional advice would you like to share with students that are about to graduate to help them be business-savvy photographers?
Sign up for some entrepreneurship courses! If not at your university, a community college near-by will likely help you develop a business plan. Write at least one business plan in your college career.
Originally published at PhotoWorkflo.
