North Central College - Naperville, IL

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management

Why choose entrepreneurship and small business management (ESBM) at North Central College?

North Central is one of the few colleges in the country offering this innovative combined major. Why do we do it? Because entrepreneurship students rarely start their own business immediately after graduating; instead, they often learn the ropes by working for another small business. North Central prepares you for that transitional step. Our small business management training gives you an edge in landing your first job out of college, which in turn provides the on-the-job training you’ll need to launch your own venture.

You can also:

  • Find internships and jobs at the thousands of small businesses in the Naperville and Chicagoland areas.
  • Complete at least one required internship by shadowing the owner/operator of a privately held company in the industry of your choice.
  • Attend presentations by guest speakers who share their experiences, offer advice and answer questions.
  • Get a head start on your major by completing two entrepreneurial courses during your first year.
  • Apply what you’ve learned in class to entrepreneurial projects through student organizations like the Entrepreneurship and International Business Organization and Enactus.
  • Attend professional events such as the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization annual conference in Chicago and the Self-Employment in the Arts Conference.

News

North Central College’s Enactus is partnering with Lowe’s Naperville home improvement retail store to create learning gardens for a community childhood center.
Six North Central College students author presentations about international relations and globalization at annual international conference.
North Central College students win 12 awards at state championship forensic tournament, set program record for national contest by qualifying in 29 events.

News

Internships

  • Reality Fitness, Naperville
  • Production and planning intern, Stitely Entertainment, Evanston, IL
  • Assistant manager, The Toy Business, Chicago
  • Operations trainee, Olympic Controls Corporation, Elgin, IL
  • Development assistant, Family Shelter Services, Wheaton, IL

Careers

Recent graduates in entrepreneurship and small business management include:

  • Founder, Suburban Real Estate
  • Founder, Quality Logo Products
  • Owner, Naperville Pom and Cheer
  • Owner, Summer Thornton Design
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, marketing, management triple major

While the size, location and atmosphere of North Central College were all traits Kathryn was looking for in a college, the entrepreneurship and small business management (ESBM) major cinched the deal for her.

“I’ve always been fascinated by entrepreneurship. Growing up, my dad owned his own business. I could see how much he loved the freedom and his sense of pride. Once I realized I could major in ESBM, I seized the opportunity immediately.”

Kathryn credits her ability to practice and develop entrepreneurial skills to internships available through North Central. “I’ve been fortunate to intern at multiple companies, big and small, across the nation. Most recently, I interned for an experiential...

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management major

Dana plans to turn a hobby into a dream job by opening her own handmade jewelry boutique. "For me, a major reason for coming to North Central was its large number of business-related clubs and organizations," she says. North Central's location also appealed to her. "There are lots of small businesses right down the street, and their owners are often willing to talk with students and share their knowledge and advice," she points out. "My internships have given me real-life experience and an understanding of business operations."

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management and Managment double major

“Location, personal attention, beautiful campus, wonderful people, cross country and track teams, business program … I knew my opportunities at North Central would be endless,” says Amanda.

Amanda dreams of owning her own business someday. To that end, she added entrepreneurship and small business management to her finance and management majors. Her efforts outside the classroom with Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) gave her real-world experiences that defined her business model.

"Because of SIFE, which focuses on social change through ethical and transparent business practices, I’ve come to believe that business should be about people over profit.” As co-president of NCC’s Best, a student-run...