The Catalyst
The Catalyst serves as a place KU students can develop themselves and their ventures with valuable industry insights.
Overview
The Catalyst encourages entrepreneurship and professional development through mentoring. It employs students and gives them opportunities to work out ideas and venture plans and introduces them to resources like industry mentors.
Participating students get assistance in all phases of venture development, and they learn and test in a constructive and productive environment.
Students meet with Catalyst leadership regularly for progress reporting based on their developed workflow and schedule.
The Catalyst comprises three stages, each with unique opportunities for venture creation and professional development.
Only students in either Stage 2 or 3 may qualify for the BUS 310: Internships with Impact requirement as part of the EY Business Professional Development Program.
Students are hired into the program and begin their journey in The Catalyst. Students in Stage 1 are paid to work and develop their venture for up to five hours a week.
Students in this stage are paid to continue working on their venture for up to 10 hours a week. They also will serve as a guide in training to guide future cohorts. Stage 2 satisfies the BUS 310: Internships with Impact requirement as part of the EY Business Professional Development Program. Students can take BUS 310 coursework alongside their venture or receive 50 professional development points. The points can only be earned once.
Stage 2 is only available to students who have completed Stage 1.
Students in Stage 3 are paid to continue working on and developing their venture. They will also serve as an entrepreneurial guide to other students in the other stages.
Stage 3 satisfies the BUS 310: Internships with Impact requirement as part of the EY Business Professional Development Program. Students can take BUS 310 coursework alongside their venture or receive 50 professional development points. The points can only be earned once.
Stage 3 is only available to students who have completed Stages 1 and 2.
Students are hired into the program and begin their journey in The Catalyst. Students in Stage 1 are paid to work and develop their venture for up to five hours a week.
Students in this stage are paid to continue working on their venture for up to 10 hours a week. They also will serve as a guide in training to guide future cohorts. Stage 2 satisfies the BUS 310: Internships with Impact requirement as part of the EY Business Professional Development Program. Students can take BUS 310 coursework alongside their venture or receive 50 professional development points. The points can only be earned once.
Stage 2 is only available to students who have completed Stage 1.
Students in Stage 3 are paid to continue working on and developing their venture. They will also serve as an entrepreneurial guide to other students in the other stages.
Stage 3 satisfies the BUS 310: Internships with Impact requirement as part of the EY Business Professional Development Program. Students can take BUS 310 coursework alongside their venture or receive 50 professional development points. The points can only be earned once.
Stage 3 is only available to students who have completed Stages 1 and 2.
All candidates must have the following:
- An idea for a new venture that you intend to develop. (The venture itself doesn't have to be operating yet.)
- Ability to meet with mentors
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
- Must be a KU student enrolled in at least 6 credit hours
The Catalyst job positions are posted as “pool” positions at employment.ku.edu. Students can and are encouraged to apply for the upcoming semester.
This is an hourly paid position with up to five or 10 hours a week, depending on the stage.
Students are expected to:
- Meet regularly with leadership and mentors
- Develop professionally
- Develop entrepreneurial skills
- Develop ideas/ventures
By the end of the program, the intent is for students to walk away with a greater awareness of existing resources, a deeper understanding of themselves and a set of entrepreneurial skills that they can use in their own venture or working with others.
All candidates must have the following:
- An idea for a new venture that you intend to develop. (The venture itself doesn't have to be operating yet.)
- Ability to meet with mentors
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs
- Must be a KU student enrolled in at least 6 credit hours
The Catalyst job positions are posted as “pool” positions at employment.ku.edu. Students can and are encouraged to apply for the upcoming semester.
This is an hourly paid position with up to five or 10 hours a week, depending on the stage.
Students are expected to:
- Meet regularly with leadership and mentors
- Develop professionally
- Develop entrepreneurial skills
- Develop ideas/ventures
By the end of the program, the intent is for students to walk away with a greater awareness of existing resources, a deeper understanding of themselves and a set of entrepreneurial skills that they can use in their own venture or working with others.