Entrepreneurialism is a concept everyone needs to embrace in a changing work landscape, according to the University of Worcester's Enterprise Manager.
"Traditionally our students studying say, for example, for a degree in sport or the arts, might have thought that entrepreneurs are business people," Nicholas said. "But increasingly in the first part of the 21st century, entrepreneurialism has become the corner stone of employment in many different sectors."
"The old ways of settled work, 9 to 5, 38 hours a week have been eroded," he added. "These days you need to be able to think and act on your feet, to respond to an ever-shifting landscape, and to sell yourself effectively in an increasingly competitive market-place.
"There is a lot of talk about whether there are enough graduate-level jobs to go around, but if you understand the basics of enterprise, and you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you can carve out a space for yourself in the market. We run a lot of enterprise activity here at the University of Worcester, and want to ensure it's not just Business students who engage. Artists, drama students and sports coaches have just as much to gain from learning how to navigate this realm of fascinating possibilities and exciting opportunities."
The University hosts a free weekly Idea Clinic on Tuesdays between 12pm and 2pm at its City Campus, that is open to students and members of the public alike.
"Anyone who has an idea they would like to develop can come and talk to our Entrepreneurs in Residence," Nicholas said. "Our entrepreneurs in residence are experienced business people who know what it takes to take a dream and make it real, and it's a fantastic opportunity - both for our students and for the wider community " to be able to engage with these people and benefit from their experience absolutely free of charge."
Nicholas also runs an annual Start-up Fair for both students and enterprising minds within the community. This year's event will take place on Thursday, April 19 from 5pm to 7.30pm in the University's Riverside building, with free drinks and pizza.
"The Start-up Fair is really the next step for those who have been developing an idea," Nicholas said. "It's a chance to market your idea to an audience and see if it has any legs. As with the drop-in clinic, there's no specific criteria, we just want as many people to engage with the event as possible because we recognise just how vital entrepreneurialism is, and how central to everyone's professional success it will become in the future."
"You might be a sports graduate who's coaching on a freelance basis, or an artist who wants to figure out how to get exposure at exhibitions and sell more of your work. This is entrepreneurial activity just as much as the traditional image of the self-made business tycoon. Whatever you want to do in life you are going to have to know how to sell yourself " and your services, create effective networks, and get your good ideas out of your head and in to the real world. That's entrepreneurialism, and it's the way we're all going to have to start thinking." he added.
For more information on enterprise activities at the University of Worcester, email enterprise@worc.ac.uk, or to book on to an event, search the web for "University of Worcester Enterprise Eventbrite".