picture film

Continuing Education Press Releases

U of U Helps People Turn Their Passions Into Businesses

New Class Series at the U Targets the Jobless Looking to Become Entrepreneurs

January 13, 2011 – Tired of fruitless job searches? Ready to try your hand at being your own boss? Lifelong Learning at The University of Utah is here to help.

Although the recession was declared officially over several months ago, many people are dubbing it a "jobless recovery." With unemployment rates at 9.8% nationally and 7.5% in Utah, Lifelong Learning has developed a series of classes to help Utahns take matters into their own hands.

"We're seeing more and more 'accidental entrepreneurs' — those who have given up job searching and are setting out on their own" said Mandy Self, Director of Lifelong Learning. "People are actually using their unemployed time to create their dream jobs."

Throughout spring 2011, Lifelong Learning at the U will present nine classes targeting everyday people looking to turn their passions into profit — from self-publishing a book to launching a photography career or investing in real estate.

Taught by seasoned local pros, these hands-on classes will look at the characteristics of successful startups and discuss practical and affordable ways to get into the local marketplace — including pricing and competition; branding and marketing; licensing; taxes; networking and selling; customer service; and writing a business plan — as well as the basic skills to be better, and therefore more competitive, at what you love.

"It may be an ideal time to head in a new direction, but it's not a good time to be reckless," added Self. "We're helping people do it right."

The University of Utah series begins on Jan. 18 with Buying Distressed Properties: What You Need to Know, followed closely by Self-Publish Your Book, Turn Your Passion Into a Business and Be Successful In Stock Photography. New classes start throughout the spring.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 15.1 million unemployed Americans at the end of 2010, with over 7.2 million jobs lost in the past two years. However, according to the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, new business creation reached a 14-year high in 2009, outpacing even the dot-com boom of 1999-2000. Also, confidence among small-business owners remains high, with the National Federation of Independent Business reporting its highest confidence index in three years at the end of 2010.

"Either people are tired of having someone else decide their futures, or they've simply re-evaluated their priorities," added Self. "Our goal is to remove the guesswork so that people can move confidently into more rewarding careers."

Classes in Lifelong Learning at the U of U's entrepreneurial series begin on Jan. 18, 2011, with new titles starting throughout the spring. Advance registration is required. To sign up or for more information, visit lifelong.utah.edu or call 801-587-LIFE (5433).

Series Details:

  • Buying Distressed Properties: What You Need to Know, Jan. 18 – Feb. 22, 2011
  • Self-Publish Your Book, Jan. 31, 2011
  • Turn Your Passion into a Business, Feb. 2 – 24, 2011
  • Be Successful in Stock Photography, Feb. 28 – Mar. 28, 2011
  • Rental Properties: Opportunity or Headache? Mar. 1 – Apr. 12, 2011
  • How to Write a Business Plan, Mar. 7 – 21, 2011
  • Screenwriting Nuts and Bolts, Mar. 12, 2011
  • Social Networking for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses, Mar. 28 – Apr. 4, 2011
  • Publish Your Book, Apr. 14, 2011

About Lifelong Learning at The University of Utah

Lifelong Learning at The University of Utah provides high-quality evening and weekend classes that challenge, inform, entertain and generally enrich the lives of adults through learning and social interaction.

Additional Links:

Continuing Education at the U enriches the lives of people of all ages in the greater community and beyond by providing extraordinary learning opportunities from the university. The division encompasses nine programs: Academic Non-Credit, Lifelong Learning, Exam/Test Preparation, Professional Education, Technology Education, Youth Education, Distance Education, the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning and the English Language Institute. Founded in 1911, Continuing Education offers credit and non-credit courses that serve over 30,000 students annually from around the world. Information about each of Continuing Ed's programs can be found at www.continue.utah.edu.