Personal Perspectives on Student Entrepreneurship

Look, I totally get it, being in the final years of school can feel incredibly overwhelming. There’s no guidebook for this stuff, especially with how uncertain things are right now. Big companies are freezing hiring, graduate programmes are disappearing and it can honestly make you feel lost about what comes next. Trust me, I’ve been there.

You’ve probably got a ton of big choices ahead. Maybe you’re thinking about going to university for that once-in-a-lifetime experience. Or maybe you’re eyeing an apprenticeship to start earning and learning right away, even starting a stable 9-5 job to gain practical experience and financial independence. No matter what you choose, it’s very competitive and can feel like you’re competing on an uneven playing field.

But here’s something not everyone talks about: entrepreneurship.

The best part about entrepreneurship is that it doesn’t have to fit a certain mould. Whether it’s selling cupcakes at a farmer’s market, launching a candle business from your bedroom or creating your own digital start-up, you get to call the shots.

When I finished school, I felt completely unsure about my next steps. School didn’t really prepare me for life, so I did my own research and figured out my path myself. Right now, I’m doing a Level 4 apprenticeship, aiming for Level 6 next year. Down the line, in a couple of years, once I'm confident in my level of understanding in my professional field, I plan on becoming a freelancer, because honestly, I want control over my time, money and career.

Working for yourself essentially means the more you hustle, the more you earn, and there’s no limit to how far you can go.

That’s why the NextGen Elevate Student Entrepreneurship Programme by the Portobello Business Centre is such a game-changer. From 14th to 18th July 2025, you’ll spend five intense, inspiring days at Morley College’s North Kensington campus, diving deep into entrepreneurship.

You’ll learn how to develop your idea, master branding and marketing, manage finances, pitch confidently and even explore digital tools and AI to boost your business idea. Plus, at the end of the week, you’ll pitch your idea and could win up to £5,000 to actually get it off the ground. And the support doesn’t end there, you’ll get a full year of personalised mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs.

Maybe you don’t have that big idea right now, but never underestimate your potential. Running your own business or freelancing might feel distant today, but who knows? It could be exactly the flexibility you need in the future to manage your personal goals or family life. Starting now means you’re building connections, collecting stories and opening doors you might not even realise exist.