SIFE: Who, what, why, how, and when?  

Introducing Cal Poly SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) Project

SIFE is an incredible opportunity available here at Cal Poly.  What is SIFE?  In short, it is an opportunity to:

Design and implement project(s) of your own that will really make a difference! Put into practice concepts that you have learned about in all your classes.

Use your training and knowledge to educate other groups on:

  • How the free market works in the global economy.

  • How entrepreneurs succeed by identifying a market need and then profitably producing and marketing a product or service to fill that need.

  • The personal entrepreneurial, communications, technology and financial management skills needed to successfully compete.

  • The importance of practicing business in an ethical and socially responsible manner that supports the principles of a market economy.

How will you do it?

You will brainstorm with your group to decide what type of project you want to work on.

During Fall and Winter of 2006/2007 you will develop and implement the project.  At the end of winter you will present your project in a regional competition against other schools. Winners move on to national and then international presentations (last year’s international event was in Barcelona Spain).  SIFE Cal Poly has won at both the regional and national competitions!

What do I get out of it?

  • Satisfaction of seeing a plan of your own put into action and positively benefiting some target group you identify as being particularly benefiting.  Whether it is kindergarteners, college students, business owners or senior citizens – the projects that you create will allow these people to achieve their dreams.  It is more than just educating – it’s empowering.
  • Opportunity to meet and network with fortune 500 companies.  These companies have alums who have all been SIFE graduates.  They attend regional and national competitions to meet students and serve as judges.  They want to hire SIFE students!
  • Opportunity to win prizes.  There is approximately $500,000 dollars of donated funds in various competitions!

Are you interested? All students in all colleges, concentrations and class levels can join!   You can get senior project credit, Bus 200, Bus 400 or Bus 500 credit or you can simply do it for the fun of it.   

Professor Norm Borin has been selected as the Sam Walton Fellow and will serve as Advisor. 

Class meets Mon/Wed 4-6 Room 114 in Building 03.  

If you have further questions please contact us at cpsife@calpoly.edu.

 

  

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