The MBA Experience

For everyone, the two years at HBS goes quickly. To make the most progress toward your objectives, it helps to be as focused as possible. For those interested in entrepreneurship this typically means a focus on:

  • refining an idea you already have
  • looking for an idea or a team to join
  • thinking about an industry and a set of entrepreneurial companies in that industry that you'd like to try to join upon graduation


> Watch this video for an overview of Entrepreneurship at HBS (10/15/08): Paths to an Entrepreneurial Career

> Watch this video for a panel discussion on entrepreneurial careers (10/15/08): Perspectives from HBS Entrepreneurs

Making the Most of Your Time at HBS

1st Year, Fall

  • Attend the Rock Center Info Session for an introduction to our programs
  • Meet with an MBA Career Coach whose background fits your entrepreneurship interests and explore your vision and strategy with them
  • Join the Entrepreneurship Club as well as any other clubs that speak to your industry of interest, e.g., TechMedia Club or Healthcare Club
  • Tap into the wide variety of Social Enterprise activities if your interest lies there
  • Try to meet like-minded fellow students through the clubs, Rock Center activities and your own networking
  • If you have an idea for the Business Plan Contest, begin to think about putting a team together. You should also attend the Rock Center Team Building sessions, and talk to EC students to learn about any second-year teams looking for help.
    In addition, for current HBS MBA students, the HBS Entrepreneur's Network at StudentBusinesses.com can help you find other HBS teams and teammates. On this website, if you have an idea but are looking to add to your team, you can register and post your business profile so that individuals can search and find you. You can also search individual profiles to find people who are looking to join a team. For those who do not have an idea but want to join a team, you can register your individual profile so that people with business ideas can find you. You can also use the Network to look for teams that you may want to join.
  • Think about a January Immersion Program, either in entrepreneurship or in your industry or geography or interest

First Year, Winter

  • Participate in the Entrepreneurship Club Conference as well as any other conferences in your area of interest
  • If you have an idea and want to begin working on your business during your RC-EC summer, apply for a Rock/Lebor Fellowship
  • If you are planning to work at a start-up or entrepreneurial company during your RC-EC summer, and will need some additional funding to compensate for a low salary from the company, consider applying for a Rock/Lebor Fellowship
  • Meet with an MBA Career Coach whose background fits your entrepreneurship interests to get reinforcement with your networking and/or search strategy

RC-EC Summer

  • Work on your idea or get some in-depth experience in an industry/function of interest – even better if you can work in your geography of choice.

Second Year, Fall

  • If you are pursuing your own idea, select a set of courses that will help you advance your thinking, including courses with a project or even a full semester field study. Consider the Field Study Seminar: Evaluating the Entrepreneurial Opportunity
  • Check in with your  MBA Career Coach to discuss your summer and craft your plan for your fulltime search
  • If you are looking for a business idea for the Business Plan Contest, look for fellow students who may want you to join their team.
    In addition, for current HBS MBA students, the HBS Entrepreneur's Network at StudentBusinesses.com can help you find other HBS teams and teammates. On this website, if you have an idea but are looking to add to your team, you can register and post your business profile so that individuals can search and find you. You can also search individual profiles to find people who are looking to join a team. For those who do not have an idea but want to join a team, you can register your individual profile so that people with business ideas can find you. You can also use the Network to look for teams that you may want to join.
  • Consider a field study or course with project that will bring you into contact with real customers – this is often where great ideas come from
  • Participate in clubs, conferences and take advantage of Rock Center services for students designed to help advance your idea, including: Early-Stage Idea Feedback, Legal Counsel and Mentoring.
  • If you will be trying to join a start-up or entrepreneurial company, begin your research to identify good targets
  • If you are interested in Search Funds, this is a good time to begin your research on potential search strategies as well as discussions with past search funders.

Second Year, Winter