For a second year in a row, an IU student was invited to the Silicon Valley Bank Trek (SVB Trek), an exclusive event with 28 attendees from all over the world. Erykah Gooch, a Technology Consulting Workshop alum at the Kelley School of Business, was selected to be a part of this unique experience.

The SVB Trek is a four day event where participants attend seminars, dive into hands-on workshops, and learn from professionals who have been successful in startups and venture capital. The content ranges from “how to secure funding for your startup” to “cryptocurrencies and blockchain” to “the art of failing.” Every day is packed full of useful content and networking opportunities, usually starting at 8am and ending at 11pm.

Erykah admits that she would have pretty clueless throughout the experience without first having gone through Kelley’s I-Core program. This required set of courses simulates an entrepreneurial space but with lower stakes as students have instructors to help them with terminology and concepts. The students then apply what they learned in every course to write their own business plans as their final project at the end of the program. Erykah’s experience in the Technology Consulting Workshop (TCW) was also incredibly helpful. TCW students work through business cases, giving them practical experience solving different business scenarios. “[The TCW] is one of the more difficult courses I’ve taken because I was challenged to find creative solutions and ways to implement new technology strategies into business,” remarked Erykah.

According to Erykah, the most valuable part of the SVB Trek was connecting with the other 27 high-achieving self-starters in her cohort, students from all over the world and from many different backgrounds. Some already had startup experience, having started their own businesses prior to attending the event. “Meeting people who are at such a young age and doing such great things was really inspiring,” said Erykah, “It inspired me to do more and be less afraid of failing.”

Ultimately, her experience at the SVB Trek changed her career path. Erykah originally planned on getting the “typical” job out of college that offers security, good pay, and growth. Now, after she graduates in 2021, she wants to follow a less traditional path and work with a startup as she likes the fast-paced environment and has gained more confidence in herself.