OwlCent$ is semester long financial literacy programming. Topics include career exploration, budgeting, credit scores, loans, etc. As students participate in OwlCent$ programming, they will be entered into monthly raffles to win The Office swag.

Profession-OWL is a program to help fund student entrepreneurial processes. Students can attend semester long entrepreneurial themed programming to learn more about entrepreneurship, how to start and expand businesses, and get connected with Maine’s rich resources for business owners. Entrepreneurship programming helps supports students as they prepare for the voluntary student entrepreneurship competition. As students participate in entrepreneurship programming, they will be entered into monthly raffles to win The Office swag.

This semester one student can win a $1,000 microgrant generously donated by Machias Savings and Loan. To apply, students can complete a business plan and submit it at UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu by Monday, March 14 at 11:59 p.m. The winner of the student entrepreneurship competition will be announced in late April.

You will earn an extra 10 raffle entries for every five friends you bring with you to each workshop. All five of your friends must also attend the workshop for you to get credit. Friend claiming is on a first come first serve basis. You can email your five friends full names, the workshop all six of you are attending to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

This co-curricular programming is provided by the SAO Office. Any questions should be sent to umpi-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

Guidelines

  1. Items with a * require the student to provide their own proof of completion from the host. Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu
  2. Proof of completions for each entry must be submitted by 11:59 on the last day of the month for credit in that month.
  3. All work must be your own.
  4. Questions can be sent to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

Entrepreneurship Programming

Entrepreneurship 101 with the Northern Maine Development Commission Tuesday, February 9 at 5:00 p.m.

Introduction to Self-Employment* with NewVentures Maine Tuesday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m.

Understanding the Internet* with Digital Equity Center Tuesday, February 9 at 9:00 a.m.

Beyond Gmail* with Digital Equity Center (note two session workshop worth 20 raffle points upon completion) Tuesday, February 9 and Wednesday, February 10 at 2:00 p.m.

Understanding Cloud Library* with Digital Equity Center Tuesday, February 9 at 2:30 p.m.

My Next Career Move* (note this is a five session workshop but is worth 50 raffle entries upon completion of program) Tuesday, February 9; Tuesday, February, 16; Tuesday, February, 23; Tuesday, March, 2; and Tuesday, March 9 at 10:00 a.m.

Cloud-based Back-up Solutions* with Digital Equity Center on Thursday, February 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Introduction to Google Drive and Docs* with Digital Equity Center (note this is a three session workshop worth 30 raffle entries upon completion) Tuesday, February 16; Wednesday, February, 17; and Thursday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m.

Understanding Cloud Library* with Digital Equity Center on Tuesday, February 16 at 4:00 p.m.

Understanding WordPress* with Digital Equity Center (note this is a three session workshop but is worth 30 raffle entries upon completion) Tuesday, February 16; Wednesday, February 17; and Thursday, February 18 at 5:30 p.m.

Building Confidence* (note this is a three evening program worth 30 raffle tickets upon completion) Thursday, February 18; Thursday, February 25; and Thursday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m.

Building a Successful Business Model with Office of Innovation at UMaine Orono Monday, February 22 4 p.m.

Basic Business Startup with the Small Business Administration* 2:30 p.m.

Maine CareerCenter Resume Workshop Every Tuesday 1:30 p.m. and Every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

Maine CareerCenter Preparing to Apply for a New Job (topics vary by date). Every Thursday 1:00 p.m.

Maine CareerCenter Career Exploration Every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.

How to Create a Successful Business Pitch with Office of Innovation at UMaine Orono Monday, March 1 4 p.m.

Making Career Choices* with NewVentures Maine Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

Starting your Craft Business with NewVentures Maine Tuesday, March 9 4:30 p.m.

Attend Big Gig as audience member on Tuesday, March 9 at 5:30 p.m. Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

Tax Readiness for the Self-employed* with NewVentures Maine Wednesday, March 10 at 11 a.m.

MS Excel* with Digital Equity Center Wednesday, March 10; Thursdsay, March 11; and Friday, March 12 6 p.m.

Survey for Student Choice Workshop with NewVentures Maine by Friday, March 19 by 11:59 p.m.

MS PowerPoint* with Digital Equity Center Friday, March 12; Friday, March 19; Friday, March 26 2:30 p.m.

Final business plans for entrepreneurship competition due Monday, March 14 by 11:59 p.m. Business plans will be one to three pages in length and include:

  • Student name
  • Class level
  • Business Name
  • Target Audience
  • Needed equipment and supplies
  • Price point for product(s) and/or service(s)
  • Marketing and communication plan
  • Demonstrate need in Aroostook County and/or Maine

Some guides to develop business plans can be found here, here, and here. Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

First Impressions Matter: Resume and Interview* (note this is a two evening program worth 20 raffle tickets upon completion) Tuesday, March 23 and Thursday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Exports and International Business with Maine International Trade Center Tuesday, March 23 at 4 p.m.

Introduction to Self-employment* with NewVentures Maine Wednesday, March 24 6:30 p.m.

Maine CareerCenter Resume Workshop Every Tuesday 1:30 p.m. and Every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

Maine CareerCenter Preparing to Apply for a New Job (topics vary by date). Every Thursday 1:00 p.m.

Maine CareerCenter Career Exploration Every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.

Making Career Choices* with NewVentures Maine Tuesday, April 6 10:00 a.m.

Student Choice of Workshop (students get to choose topic) with NewVentures Maine Tuesday, April 6 at 4:30 p.m.

Attend Big Gig as an audience member on Tuesday, April 13 at 5:30 p.m. Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

MS Excel* with Digital Equity Center (note this is a three session workshop worth 30 points upon completion) Wednesday, April 7; Wednesday, April 14; Wednesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Grow your Business Online* with NewVentures Maine Wednesday, April 7 11:00 a.m.

Making Career Choices* with NewVentures Maine Tuesday, April 8 6:30 p.m.

MS Powerpoint* with Digital Equity Center (note this is a three session workshop worth 30 points upon completion) Friday, April 9; Saturday, April 10; and Sunday April 11 at 2:30 p.m.

Government Contracting with the Northern Maine Development Commission and the Small Business Administration Tuesday, April 13 at 5:00 p.m.

Business Supports with the Small Business Administration Tuesday, April 28 at 3:30 p.m.

Maine CareerCenter Resume Workshop Every Tuesday 1:30 p.m. and Every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

Maine CareerCenter Preparing to Apply for a New Job (topics vary by date). Every Thursday 1:00 p.m.

Maine CareerCenter Career Exploration Every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.

Entrepreneurship competition winner announced last week of April.

Big Gig Practice Pitch (worth 30 raffle entries) submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

Watch one or more episodes of Greenlight Maine. Write a three paragraph of highlights of what was successful about the pitches and how you might incorporate these practices into your entrepreneurial practice. Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

Watch one or more episodes of StartUp Maine. Write a three paragraph of highlights of what was successful about the pitches and how you might incorporate these practices into your entrepreneurial practice. Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

Draft application package for I-Corps. Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

Read “Want to be a Successful Entrepreneur? Solve a Problem You Care About.” Think about a problem that you can solve in your community. Make a pitch of you describing your problem and its solution. Tag UMPI SAO social media in your video. 

Research three organizations that support entrepreneurship in Maine. Write one paragraph summary of resources each organization has that can support you on your entrepreneurship journey (three paragraphs total). Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

Read 11 Simple Steps for a Successful Brand Building Process. Next, research three business logos and brand that you admire. Create a draft branding for your business or update branding for your existing business. Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

Submit your score from the game The Founder. Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

Financial Literacy Programming

Identifying Fraud and Scams* with the Digital Equity Center Wednesday, February, 10 at 5:00 p.m.

Let’s Talk about Credit* with NewVentures Maine Thursday, February 11 at 12:00 p.m.

Build Your Savings* with NewVentures Maine Thursday, February 18 at 12:00 p.m.

Budgeting Basics* with NewVentures Maine Thursday, March 4 at 10:00 a.m.

Budgeting Basics* with NewVentures Maine Thursday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m.

Let’s Talk about Credit* with NewVentures Maine Thursday, March 11 at 10:00 a.m.

Let’s Talk about Credit* with NewVentures Maine Thursday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m.

My Money Works* (note this is a five session workshop worth 50 raffle entries upon completion) Thursday, March 11; Thursday, March, 18; Thursday, March, 25; Thursday, April, 1; and Thursday, April,  8 at 10:00 a.m.

Build your Savings* with NewVentures Maine Thursday, March 18 at 10:00 a.m.

Build your Savings* with NewVentures Maine March 18 at 6:30 p.m.

UCU SavvyMoney Checkup. Only submit your financial shape (the top of the screen, do NOT submit personal data) with a screenshot to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

Read the articles under “Understanding Your Credit Score”. Write a summary of what a credit score is and what are some steps that you can take to improve it (one to three paragraphs). Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu

Read the articles under “Managing Debt.” Write a summary of some tips to create a successful budget and ways to reduce debt (one to three paragraphs). Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu

Complete one or more modules on iGrad. Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.

Using this salary and student loan calculator, calculate the entry level pay in your field.

  • You will complete the “How much salary do I need to support my student loan debt?” calculator using the average 2019 undergraduate debt burden of $30,062. If you expected or required to attend graduate school, add another $30,062 to your estimated student loan burden. You will put the output here.
  • You will complete the “How much can I afford to borrow in student loans based on a certain salary?” For this calculation, you will use the entry level pay in your field, not your ideal job pay. If you aren’t sure about the entry level pay for your field, you can visit the United States Department of Labor. You will put the output here.
  • Now, compare the outputs from a and b. How different are the figures? If you take out the 2019 average student loan burden, will you be able to successfully pay back your loans at the entry level pay in your field? If so, good but no loans is best! If not, what are some steps you can take to address this issue?

Submit to UMPI-entrepreneurs@maine.edu.