From November 14-16, West Valley College students attended the prestigious SURGE Expo at Stanford University, an event designed to empower student entrepreneurs as they embark on their business journeys. The expo provided invaluable opportunities to explore essential tools, hear from successful student business owners, and connect with like-minded peers to build a supportive entrepreneurial network.
The event featured dynamic workshops covering topics such as e-commerce, digital marketing, and supporting student-run businesses, equipping participants with practical skills to launch and grow their ventures. Attendees also rolled up their sleeves for a hands-on Data-thon sponsored by Google and Data Commons, where they collaborated across disciplines to tackle real-world business challenges.
In addition to the workshops and activities, students gained inspiration and insights through panel discussions with venture capitalists and founders of successful startups. The highlight of the event was the lineup of keynote speakers, including renowned marketer Seth Godin and entrepreneur Mark Cuban. Students were thrilled to engage in a 30-minute Q&A session with the Shark Tank star, gaining direct advice from one of the best in the business.
This transformative experience left students energized and equipped with the tools and connections to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
Join us for a panel discussion to gain valuable insights into the latest industry trends, career pathways, and real-world experiences that can shape your future.
Guest Speakers
- Mike Shah | Partner | Stevens, Sloan, & Shah CPA
- Michael Bryant | Partner | BryMar CPAs
Date: Wednesday, November 20
Time: 12:25 PM – 1:25 PM
Location: Che 126
KPMG is excited to host a winter leadership program, KPMG Talent+, allowing students to learn more about Audit, Tax, and Advisory at KPMG. You will have the chance to network with professionals from each practice, learn about their KPMG journey, and gain a better understanding of professional life and opportunities at KPMG! You will also meet students from various universities who are also interested in careers in public accounting.
Space is limited - Apply today! Please apply by Saturday, November 30. If you are selected for the program, you will receive an invitation email with a link to register.
Date: Friday, January 10Time: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: KPMG San Francisco or Silicon Valley office
Date: Wednesday November 13, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: CHE 122/124
Two-Year Bridge Symposium
West Valley students had the incredible opportunity to participate to the 2024 Two-Year Bridge Symposium supported by the Teachers of Accounting at Two-Year Colleges (TACTYC) and organized by the American Accounting Association with sponsorship from Deloitte , PwC and the Center for Audit Quality.
The event, held on November 8 at the PwC office in San Jose, provided valuable insights into accounting careers and the evolving landscape of the profession.
Students were delighted to hear from experienced professionals and an eloquent keynote speaker Kimberly N. Ellison-Taylor who shared her journey, challenges, and strategies for achieving career goals. A recurring theme was the importance of staying determined and leveraging the right resources to be prepared for the ever-changing global market.
The symposium also emphasized the growing demand for skilled accountants and CPAs. As businesses continue to adapt to technological advancements like AI, it was inspiring to hear that accounting will always play a crucial role in driving strategic decision-making, ensuring financial integrity, and maintaining compliance. AI might enhance our tools, but the human expertise of accountants remains irreplaceable.
See event photos.
UC Santa Cruz's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED)
Students from West Valley’s Entrepreneurship Club (E-Club) had an exciting opportunity to visit UC Santa Cruz, including the newly established Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED). During the tour, they met with CIED Director Nada Miljković and Faculty Manager Manel Camps, who shared insights into the center’s offerings, including specialized courses, certificates, and comprehensive support for aspiring entrepreneurs. Our students also connected with current CIED students and alumni, gaining valuable perspectives. Following the presentation, they enjoyed a tour of the beautiful UC Santa Cruz campus. It was a fantastic day and an inspiring experience for everyone involved!
See event photos.
Explore how to create a LinkedIn profile that brings your personal career story to life, whether you’re just starting out, seeking to advance, or making a career change. Aaron Faucher, our LinkedIn Rock Your Profile Ambassador offers tips on tailoring each section, starting with the key insight that a LinkedIn profile is unique and shouldn’t be approached exactly like a resume. Aaron covers ways to add media to a profile, methods for showcasing your career accomplishments and aspirations, and specific examples of profile phrases and language that can help inspire your personal story.
Workshop Dates
- Tuesday, September 24 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Tuesday, October 29 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
- Thursday, November 21 | 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Graphic Design student, Mia Shafer, created the Entrepreneurship Center’s new logo. Mia has been at West Valley College since 2022 and is currently working toward a certificate in Graphic Design. She loves seeing her ideas become a part of the final design and has long been interested in art and design. Her first classes at West Valley included beginning drawing and watercolors. Some of the classes she has enjoyed the most are her counseling classes where she gets to learn about all the different career options available that incorporate art.
In terms of her design of this logo, Mia knew she wanted to incorporate the “E” for the Entrepreneurship Center (called the E-Center for short) into the design and ended up making it the base of the lightbulb. The lightbulb concept came to her right away as it has long signified ideas and learning. And she said, “if it was a West Valley program, then it must contain parts of the West Valley logo”. This is why she decided to prominently display the college’s well known oak leaf into the final design. After some initial sketching, Mia used the graphic design program Adobe Illustrator to create the logo that was eventually, and overwhelmingly, selected by a vote of fellow students, staff, and college faculty.
Thank you Mia!
Purpose
To help students explore their entrepreneurial dreams and turn them into reality.
Winter 2025
- BUSN 046: Excelling With Excel (Credit), Online Asynchronous, starting 01/02, CRN: 1018
Spring 2025 (Credit)
- BUSN 015: The Entrepreneurial Mindset (Credit), In-person, Mondays & Wednesday, 9;20m-10:45am, starting 01/25, CRN: 34401
- BUSN 040: Sales Strategies (Credit), Online Asynchronous, starting 01/25, CRN: 34411
- BUSN 046: Excelling With Excel (Credit), Online Asynchronous, starting 01/25, CRN: 34414
- BUSN 054: Small Business Start Up and Management (Credit), in-person, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:20AM - 10:45AM, starting 01/25, CRN: 34434
Spring 2025 (Non-Credit)
- NCBU 001: Principles and Fundamentals of Accounting and Bookkeeping, (non-Credit), Online Synchronous, Thursdays, Starting 01/25, CRN: 34897
- NCBU 004: Excel for Accounting and Bookkeeping, (non-Credit), Online Synchronous, Mondays, Starting 01/30, CRN: 34902
- NCBU 006: QuickBooks: Set-up and Services Business, (non-credit), Online Asynchronous, starting 01/25, CRN: 34899
- NCBU 021: Fundamentals of Business Entities Taxation, (non-Credit), Online Synchronous, Wednesdays, Starting 01/25, CRN: 35570
- NCBU 054: How to Start a Small Business, (non-Credit), Online Synchronous, Tuesdays & Thursdays, Starting 02/25, CRN: 34903
- NCBU 056: How to Market your Small Business, (non-Credit), Online Synchronous, Tuesdays & Thursdays, Starting 04/08, CRN: 34904
- “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek
- “Smartcuts: How Hackers, Innovators, And Icons Accelerate Success” by Shane Snow
- “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries
- 10-Minute Entrepreneur” with Sean Castrina
- “2BOBS” with David C. Baker & Blair Enns
The E-Center works with the Democracy Institute. Come visit Professors Kea and Gutierrez in the E-Center to learn more.
The More You Know
Generally, if you make more than 3 sales in a 12-month period, you are required to register for a California's seller's permit and pay taxes on your taxable sales.
For more information, visit the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
Check out all the online training sessions available from the Small Business Development Center of Northern California. They range from Legal Issues for Small Businesses, Marketing Through Video and Image, and Raising Capital for Small Businesses. Many of these workshops are available for free and are offered in a live, online format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Entrepreneurship is the process of starting a business and usually involves; forming the idea for the business, securing funding, and running the ongoing operations of the new organization.
It is a space on campus where students can gather with like-minded students to network, hear from industry guest speakers, and connect with mentors.
The E-Center is here to help students with their entrepreneurial pursuits and it strives to help students in becoming impactful and resilient entrepreneurs through thought-provoking curricula, inspiring speakers, and supportive mentors.
There is no minimum number of hours or events required. Simply join for any events that are of interest to you. Please check our website or Instagram to see if an advance reservation is needed for specific events.
No! All students and majors are welcome.
Check us out on:
- Web | westvalley.edu/e-center
- Instagram | @west_valley_e_center
- Dream It! Make It! Workshop Series (featuring local business owner guest speakers)
- Cohort entrepreneurship program
- Business plan competitions
- Field trips
- Student mixers
Download E-Center FAQ flyer.