Jian Wang

By Jennifer Kordas
English, senior

Assistant Professor Jay Wang is representing the College of Liberal Arts as an instructor for a new course, Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which is part of a new universitywide certificate program.

The Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation is being offered through the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship in Purdue's Discovery Park.

"The main goal of the course (ENTR 200) is to provide the basic knowledge of running a business for students interested in being an entrepreneur," said Wang, who is also on the faculty advisory committee for the certificate program.

Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation

In addition to lecturing on basic business concepts, Wang devotes additional class time to a program he calls "Meet the Entrepreneur," which allows students a unique forum for interaction with founders of start-up companies and other entrepreneurs. 

Students must take the equivalent of five, 3-credit courses to earn the certificate. ENTR 200 is one of two required core courses; ENTR 201 is the other. Students then must take two option courses in specific disciplines relevant to entrepreneurship and innovation. Finally, a capstone course or experience provides hands-on, real-world experience to students.

Wang says the certificate program is an important experience for all Purdue students, not just those who hope to start their own businesses. That's because the term "entrepreneur" is much broader than an individual who starts his or her own company, he said.  Wang, formerly a senior communication specialist at the global management consulting firm McKinsey and Co., said for employees in large companies, entrepreneurship involves taking risks and being innovative.

 "Companies are trying to energize the workforce and staff to be innovative," he said.  "They don't want the conventional organizational structure to suffocate that."

Interaction in a diverse environment is one unique and important skill cultivated in ENTR 200. Wang believes the classroom imitates the global marketplace as a good environment for interaction between students with different backgrounds, degree areas, and interests. "It is truly multi-disciplinary," he said.

The program is less than two years old but is attracting a lot of attention from students. Wang said he believes the entrepreneurship certificate program will have a significant impact on Purdue and the state of Indiana.