Amy Bretz interviews Becca Berkenstadt – the newest staff member at the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center.

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As you may have heard, Becca Berkenstadt has recently joined the Coleman Center team as our Marketing Intern.  She is currently a DePaul undergrad studying marketing and management.  She is also the president of the Students for Entrepreneurs, an organization that helps to raise scholarship money for entrepreneurial students.

I was lucky enough to have interactions with Becca before she even started working at the center.  After interviewing her for the position, I was sure she would make a great addition to our staff.  I can already tell that Becca truly understands the entrepreneurial spirit of our work, and she seems to be picking up everything else very quickly!

I look forward to working with Becca this year and thought it was only fair that I get to know her better – and of course, post all of that information on our website.  In addition, I thought it would be interesting to throw in a couple questions that didn’t come up in her first interview.

Below are some of the questions I asked and a summary of her answers:

Why did you want to work at the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center?
I feel the Coleman Center is like a family; we have a genuine attitude towards entrepreneurs, and we are straightforward and “tell it how it is.”  It is neat that it is a non-profit organization too.  Entrepreneurship is something I have always been interested in; it’s fascinating seeing other students have similar interests as myself.

Do you have any Entrepreneurs in your family?  How did you become interested in Entrepreneurship?
Yes.  Actually, my grandparents are entrepreneurs; they started a mail order food gift company back in the 1940s that my mom ended up running.  In addition, my father owns a couple of businesses.  Just coming from a family of entrepreneurs has helped to motivate me to become one myself.  However, I don’t believe you have to have a business to have an entrepreneurial spirit or attitude – it’s a state of mind versus a state of being.

What are your favorite activities outside of work and school?
I enjoy golf, dancing, baking, and exploring the city of Chicago.

Do you have a favorite movie?
The Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan and National Treasure, both Disney movies!  Oh, and Caddyshack!

Do you have any special role models that have helped to shape the person you are today?
Yes.  I have a lot of role models that have helped me.  My Grandmother would be one because she taught me how to thrive as a strong woman in a sometimes daunting business world.  Both of my parents are my role models, my mom for similar reasons as my Grandmother, and my dad for showing me that you can have a serious job, but you don’t have to be a serious person.

What career opportunities would you like to pursue after Graduation?  Any big plans for the future?
I think I’ll have several opportunities.  My ideal job would be to expand my social media consulting company, and base it in Australia!

If you knew you were going to be stranded on a desert island – what are 3 items you would want to bring with you?
Well, I would normally pick practical items, but maybe I should pick fun ones this time.  Are there other people on the island?  Is there electricity on the island?  Will my laptop work?  Can I plug in my I pod?   I guess I would bring the 7th Harry Potter book because I think it’s the longest and you can read it over and over again and find new things.  I would also bring seeds – to trade with the natives – so they won’t eat me.  My third item would be a solar powered fan, because I get hot easily.

What is your take on the Coleman Center after your first three weeks?
I have really found that the Coleman Center is a family.  I’ve noticed how well everyone gets along.  I think it’s really important to love your job and I really love this job.  I love the people and what I’m doing.  I feel like we are making an impact on the world in our own way.

What is your favorite part of your job so far?
My favorite part is that I learn something new everyday.  Today I learned more about Twitter and how to use @ symbols to send “shout outs” to people.

Try to describe yourself in three words:
Extroverted, hilarious, and spontaneous.

What do you think of the Coleman Center’s administrative assistant?
I think she is super fun!  She does so much for the Center!  I appreciate that she was nice to me and became my friend, even before I started to work here. She is a shining star.

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