Nurturing Confidence and Passion Through Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Amid the whirlwind of college life, it is often difficult to discover one’s passions. Meet Taylor Jennings, a junior who plans to become an interior designer and make her way into the business world. Taylor’s journey began with quite a bit of uncertainty. Unsure of what she wanted to do, a serendipitous encounter with Purdue’s Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s website sparked an exciting sense of purpose and direction.

Taylor shares that the entrepreneurship course she took as a freshman helped her build confidence not only in her ideas, but also in tangible skills like presenting. Through her involvement in the entrepreneurship program, Taylor explains that she experienced a profound transformation, blossoming into a confident and empowered advocate for pursuing one’s passions. 

Soon enough, Taylor became an ambassador for the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program. In this role, she realized the impact she was able to have on others who may lack confidence as she did as a freshman. When she shares her insights and experiences with prospective students, she exudes resilience and determination. Her confidence and the  opportunity to share her story with other students has helped her in many other areas of her college career. 

Taylor aspires to open her own design firm some day. Growing up, she watched her mother navigate the business world becoming her biggest role model. Through her involvement in the interior design club, and coursework exploring gender and leadership, Taylor has become a champion for inclusivity and representation, and hopes to inspire future entrepreneurs.

Taylor acknowledges the profound impact of her involvement in the entrepreneurship program both personally and professionally. She says that collaborating with students in various majors has taught her how to be a better team member and communicator. She appreciates the lessons learned from real life entrepreneurs. 

From overcoming insecurities to embracing newfound confidence, Taylor credits the program with empowering her to step out of her comfort zone and seize opportunities. She says, “Follow your passions, for they hold the key to unlocking your fullest potential, no matter how scary they might be.” Taylor’s journey serves as an inspirational story for students who haven’t quite figured it all out, and highlights the transformative power of education in self-discovery.