Journal 2

1.     What is design thinking?

How I would describe design thinking is a way of thinking that includes you to brainstorm ideas to come up with a solution that may not have already existed. Design thinking is done using a 5 step framework which requires you to empathize, define, ideate, create prototypes, and then test your solution. To implement design thinking you need to understand the context and culture of the situation to be able to create a solution specifically for that problem or issue.

2.     How has design thinking influenced a product I use?

A product that I as well as many others use that i believe is heavily influenced by design thinking is Amazon. Amazon started off as a online bookseller that could ship books to readers everywhere. From this it evolved. Amazon wanted to be more than a book retailer and the company was able to come up with solutions to many problems that helped consumers and merchandise sellers. Amazon was able to use design thinking to solve this issue by creating a database for these retailers to sell their products on and shipping to customers for the retailers (which is something that i think had not been done before but im not 100 percent sure). Amazon has also come up with the solution to the problem of ” I need something that I can’t buy in person but I need it by tomorrow”, with their prime shipping. They thought and created a way to be able to ship products to people as quickly as possible which i believe to be a result of design thinking.

3.     What are the connections between opportunities and planning? 

I think that there are many connections between opportunity and planning. First I can say that I believe that sometime opportunities can arise without any planning. Although, I do believe when you plan well and execute your plans correctly, then opportunities will follow. I think the reason for this is that If you plan then you are setting yourself up for these opportunities to come easier than someone who does not.

4.     What opportunities have I missed?

. I have missed many many opportunities, such as joining school organizations that would have helped me network and learn more about me field, missing career fairs, which could have helped me quickly find a job, procrastinating on applying for jobs and internships that someone referred me to causing me to be to late for the position and much more. I think I would be in a whole different place in life if I would have planned and organized my time wisely while I was attending classes and living at ODU. I did miss a lot of opportunities, but it is never too late to create new ones for myself.

5.     Can a successful venture be unethical?

I think im split between the middle for this question because i think an unethical venture could be successful and unsuccessful depending on what part of the venture is unethical, how it is carried out and who is affected in the process. One example i will use to explain why an unethical venture could be successful would be testing makeup and skin products on animals. This is unethical because animals could be harmed, but successful because the companies have been able to test that their products work and what the side effects could be and then be able to sell and make revenue off the product after. Now I will explain now an unethical venture could be unsuccessful. Lets use a stock company for instance. We could say this stock company has been running a ponzi scheme to climb its way up the ranks. This could work for a while, maybe a few years, but if someone notices something off or doesn’t receive stock returns then that could cause a big issue for the company leading them to become unsuccessful. 

Journal 3

1.     Why do ethics matter in entrepreneurship?

Ethics matters in entrepreneurship for many reasons. First a company that operated by good ethics builds trust with their clients. Clients know that they have good morals so they continue to do business with the company. Also employees will be more likely to want to work with or continue working with a company when they practice good business ethics. It is also easier to abide by the law when you are practicing good business ethics as a company, because you’re less likely to do something unlawful. 

2.     How does my own personal budget related to an entrepreneurship budget?

My own personal budget relates to an entrepreneurship budget because they both include expenses and income. The expenses and income would more than likely be less for a personal budget than an entrepreneurship budget. Also, for a business owner or started your business budget would rely on your personal budget if you are using your own money to fund the business. 

3.     Why do we need budgets?

There are many reasons we need budgets, the first reason being that it helps you track and plan your spending. Without a budget it may be hard for you to keep track of your purchases and how much money you make. Another reason we need budgets it to be able to achieve a certain goal. Having a budget helps you plan out what you need to save and spend to be able to complete whatever goal or task. The next reason we need a budget is to help save money. Just like the last example I used, it is easy to save money when you can plan out what you need to spend money on and exactly how much you need to spend.

4.     What is social entrepreneurship?

Business principles are used in social entrepreneurship projects to solve social, cultural, or environmental issues. They pursue social value, financial value, and financial profit. Social entrepreneurship relies on earned income and seeks to make money as part of its strategy for bringing about social change. Revenue may originate from sources other than the product or service itself, such as grants, contributions, or other funding.

5.     What are the most significant legal issues entrepreneurs face?

Entrepreneurs may run into a number of legal difficulties. Depending on the type of business industry, area, and legal jurisdiction, there may be different legal problems.  The most significant legal issues an entrepreneur faces is choosing a legal form.

Journal 4

1.    Why do entrepreneurs get in trouble with the law?

There are many reasons entrepreneurs can get in trouble with the law. This includes non-compliance with regulations, meaning not having the proper license, not doing your taxes right, or not meeting employment law requirements. Another way an entrepreneur can get in trouble with the law is by being sued by a customer for selling a product that is misleading to them even if it is not to yourself. Engaging in fraudulent activities or deceptive practices such as embezzlement can also cause an entrepreneur to get in trouble with the law.

2.    What does psychology have to do with marketing?

Psychology plays a big role in marketing because it involves understanding and influencing human behavior to promote products or services. By using psychological principles, marketers can gain insights into customer motivations, preferences, and decision-making processes. They can use techniques like persuasive messaging, emotional appeals, social proof, and cognitive biases to effectively engage and influence consumers. Psychology helps marketers understand how people perceive and process information and make buying decisions. It also helps with designing effective advertising and creating appealing product packaging.

3. What types of marketing sway my decisions?

 I think the type of marketing that sways my decisions are products and advertisements that I think I can relate to. For example if I want to purchase clothes, I would be more swayed into buying the product if i saw someone that looks like me in the clothes. Obviously I don’t have look alikes just laying around ready to be in a clothes advertisement, but someone around the same size, maybe around the same color wearing them would make me want to buy the product. Something else that would sway me to buy a product is knowing the background behind it. I would be more willing to buy a product from a local, hardworking, humble company, rather than a large company who just makes products for monetary benefit.

4.     How can I pitch ideas better?

I think I could pitch ideas better by causing my audience to also believe that the issue at hand it a real problem. For this I have to know my audience very well so I can tailor my pitch to their specific concerns. Then I have to come up with a compelling narrative that highlights the issue at hand, discusses the possible solutions, and then the pros and cons of those solutions.

5. What are my strengths and weaknesses in pitching?

I haven’t pitched too many ideas, but I’ll start with my weaknesses. I think my first weakness would be that I’m not very persuasive and if I tell someone something and they don’t agree I easily give up. Another weakness would be that I am very shy so speaking to big groups and trying to convince someone to buy my product could be a little complicated for me. I think my strengths would be that I have excellent storytelling skills and If I am comfortable enough i can get people to empathize with me.

Journal 5

1. What are the connections between the disciplines addressing entrepreneurship at ODU?

Students studying entrepreneurship at ODU may have opportunities to explore business and management principles, economics, finance and accounting, marketing, innovation and technology, legal considerations, psychology and behavioral sciences, sociology and anthropology, engineering and design, and environmental and sustainability studies. These disciplines collectively contribute to a better understanding of entrepreneurship and prepare students for various aspects of the entrepreneurial study.

2. Is entrepreneurship an art or science?

Entrepreneurship can be seen as a combination of both art and science. It involves applying scientific principles like analysis, data, and strategy while also incorporating creative thinking, innovation, and intuition. So, it’s not solely an art or a science, but a mix of both disciplines.

3. How is failure good?

Failure can be good because it provides valuable lessons that help us grow, learn, and improve. It teaches us what doesn’t work, builds resilience, and encourages innovative thinking. Failure prompts reflection, self-awareness, and motivates us to keep pushing towards success. By embracing failure as a learning opportunity and using it to make better decisions, we can ultimately achieve greater success in the future.

4. What have I learned from failing?

I have learned a lot from failing. I learned not to make the same mistakes the next time as I did the time before.

5. What ethical issues might arise related to what I am working on? 

I’m not too sure what ethical issues might arise related to a tool that scans download links for mismatched file extensions and malicious links because i’m not too familiar on the subject itself, but I can say maybe an ethical issue would be invasion of personal property by scanning files that may be private.

Journal 6

1.

1. SafeGuard Tech: SafeGuard Tech is a company that helps businesses stay safe from online threats. They use special tools and experts to find and stop dangerous attacks on computer networks. They check for weak spots in security, test how secure systems are, and help fix any problems they find. SafeGuard Tech makes sure that companies’ important digital information is protected from hackers.

2. CyberSmart: CyberSmart is a group that teaches people and small businesses about staying safe online. They offer free classes and resources to help people understand why cybersecurity is important and how to protect themselves on the internet. They work with schools and community centers to teach kids and teens about being safe online, so they can avoid problems and make smart choices.

3. PrivateVault: A new company that helps keep information safe. They have a special online place where businesses can store their important data. The information is protected using strong codes and security measures. PrivateVault makes sure that only the right people can access the data and keeps it safe from hackers. This is especially helpful for businesses that handle sensitive customer details or important financial information.

4. RiskDetective: A group of cybersecurity experts who help companies find and stop advanced online threats. They look for signs of danger and respond quickly to protect businesses from cyber attacks. RiskDetective uses smart techniques to analyze behavior and find unusual activity that might be a threat. By acting fast and solving problems, they help businesses minimize the damage caused by cyber attacks.

5. CyberAware: CyberAware is a non-profit organization that promotes good behavior and responsible practices in cybersecurity. They encourage people and companies to be honest, respectful, and protect others’ information online. CyberAware does research, shares information, and organizes events to help people understand the importance of acting ethically in cybersecurity. They want to create a culture of trust and integrity in the industry.

2.

Entrepreneurship has its ups and downs. On the positive side, it allows people to follow their passions, make their own decisions, and potentially make a lot of money. But it also comes with challenges like finding money, getting customers, managing money wisely, and facing competition. Sometimes things might not go as planned, but setbacks can teach important lessons.Despite the difficulties, many entrepreneurs find it satisfying because they get to do what they love, create something valuable, and contribute to society. They enjoy coming up with new ideas, building a team, and helping the economy grow. It takes determination, bouncing back from failures, and always being open to learning.

3.

Entrepreneurship has prepared me for job opportunities because it has helped me develop skills that employers value. Through running my own business, I have gained leadership abilities, learned how to solve problems effectively, and become adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges. Being an entrepreneur has fostered my creativity and taught me to think outside the box. Additionally, I have acquired practical knowledge about various aspects of business operations, such as marketing, finance, and customer management.

4.

To improve the internship class experience, I suggest including more guided notes instead of relying solely on videos. Guided notes help students understand information better because they provide a structured format for organizing the content. By actively taking notes, students can grasp important concepts and details, making it easier for them to study and remember. Guided notes also allow students to personalize their learning experience by adding their own thoughts and examples. They serve as a useful reference for future review and help students engage actively with the material. Moreover, using guided notes makes the learning content more accessible to students with different learning preferences and needs. Overall, incorporating guided notes alongside videos can enhance comprehension, promote active learning, and cater to a wider range of students.

6.

Now that I have graduated, my next step is to work towards becoming a penetration tester. To achieve this goal, I have outlined a plan for myself. First, I will focus on obtaining relevant certifications like the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP),  and COMPTIA sec+  to showcase my expertise in penetration testing. Additionally, I aim to gain hands-on experience through internships, entry-level positions, and participating in bug bounty programs. This practical exposure will provide me with real-world scenarios to sharpen my skills. I am committed to continuous learning by studying independently, attending industry conferences, and staying up to date with the latest security trends and tools. Furthermore, I understand the importance of building a strong network within the cybersecurity community and seeking mentorship from experienced professionals. Their guidance will be invaluable in helping me navigate the path towards becoming a skilled and sought-after penetration tester. I am excited about the journey ahead and determined to succeed in this field.

Peer Review

Nate was a valuable member of our group. He did a great job finding good research sources for our project. He always communicated well with the team and actively shared his ideas. Nate’s strength was his ability to find reliable information and support our work with evidence. One thing he could improve is organizing his thoughts more clearly. Overall, I would definitely recommend Nate for future group projects because of his hard work, reliable research, and good communication.

Luke was a valuable member of our group. He played a key role in our project by coming up with the initial idea. His creative thinking and innovative approach were present in the unique concept he proposed. Luke actively shared his idea with the team, sparking engaging discussions and inspiring further brainstorming. His ability to generate original ideas was commendable and greatly influenced the direction of our project. Alongside his analytical skills and strong communication, Luke’s contribution to the project’s ideation phase was exceptional. I would highly recommend Luke for future group projects due to his creative thinking, effective communication, and valuable input in shaping project ideas.