Entrepreneurial Fellows Program

• Elizabeth McMath
  • Senior Director, New Program Innovation & Entrepreneurship

• Consulting work uses “higher-level thinking skills”
  • Similarity to PhD – “no hand-holding”

• Previous work before CBC – consulting, business development, corporate strategy

Q: What are good entry level jobs to get into business development positions?

• Consulting, equity research, entrepreneurial roles
• Smaller companies may hire business development roles straight from PhDs
• Important to network to find these jobs
• Position your analytical skills & skills in communicating complex topics

• Skill that helps people with PhDs to stand out in business – “empathetic thinking”
  • put yourself in your audience’s shoes
  • anticipate what questions you will get

• EF work is similar to that of a consultant/VC analyst
• CBC looks for “evidence of business interest” and connection/commitment to the Chicago area
• While in grad school – CBC runs externships through MyChoice