OCC Career Services seminar connects students with entrepreneurs, business leaders
for start-up advice and resources
Students interested in starting a business can get a head start at Oakland Community
College’s upcoming seminar, Entrepreneurship: From the Classroom to Starting Your Own Business. The free event takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on OCC’s
Auburn Hills campus.
Hosted by OCC’s Career Services and faculty, the event will show students how to turn classroom skills into freelance
work, side businesses, consulting opportunities, or even a full-time company.
Entrepreneurship is growing among college students
“With the popularity of the ‘gig’ economy and lure of independent business opportunities,
students are interested in starting their own business,” said Cameron Albring, Director
of Career Services at OCC. "We want to connect them with the resources and information
to get started.”
A recent Intuit QuickBooks study found that Gen Z has the highest entrepreneurial
intent of any generation: 43% are considering starting a business in 2026.
“Our younger students want to know what resources are available and how they can put
their skills to work, whether that means starting a business or supplementing their
income with side hustle ideas,” said OCC Business Faculty Anthony Racka.
Students can also meet representatives from business organizations at the event, including:
- Small Business Administration
- Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
- Small Business Development Center
- SCORE
- MichiganWorks!
- Oakland Thrive
- Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce
- Michigan Economic Development Corporation
- Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
- U.S. Department of Labor
- Oakland County Economic Development
“This event gives students direct access to experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders, and valuable community resources that can help turn ideas into action,” said Dr. Hany Othman, OCC Computer Information Systems Faculty. “At OCC, we are committed to helping our students transform what they learn in the classroom into meaningful career and business opportunities.”
Visit Entrepreneurship to learn more about the event.
About OCC
Oakland Community College (OCC) has educated over one million students since 1965.
OCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is committed to student
success with affordable tuition, support services, flexible class options and top
transfer opportunities. The College serves more than 20,000 students annually while
advancing our community through education, training and career support. OCC is nationally
recognized as Michigan’s top online college, and seventh in the U.S., by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges 2025. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
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Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu
