Many people dream of owning their own business, but not many accomplish it by the age of 17. Kayla Sorum, an NDSU freshman in business administration and marketing, did reach such a goal when her photography hobby blossomed into Photography By Kayla, a little more than a year ago. Sorum's entrepreneurial success and her artistic flair helped her win one of six $8,000 NDSU Entrepreneurial Scholarships.

Sorum's love of photography developed into a part-time job in high school when she took pictures for the yearbook, sporting events and a few family friends' holiday photos. She was always snapping pictures. News of her photography spread through word of mouth, and Photography By Kayla was born. "It's basically turned into my full-time job besides school," she said.

Other NDSU students show similar promise for a career in business. Patrick Backowski, Jared Hoffman, Austin Morris, Maren Shallman and Elizabeth Wilson also were awarded NDSU Entrepreneurial Scholarships based on their entrepreneurship potential, academic excellence, leadership abilities and extracurricular involvement. Students who receive these scholarships also participate in the 5:01 Entrepreneur Society. The meetings are a learning environment for students to build on their entrepreneurial interest and successes.

Sophomore scholarship recipient Austin Morris, for example, has started a couple of businesses, one in high school and one in his first year of college. "I learned what to do and what not to do," said Morris. "I learned how partnerships work and how to file just about every business form with the state and national government."

Both Sorum and Morris said the scholarship money is helpful, but the 5:01 Entrepreneurial Society requirement also is invaluable. "Financially, it [the scholarship] helps out a lot, and the entrepreneurial meetings are helping expand what I'm doing," said Sorum. "You also get to network through all the people there, so it's very beneficial."

"It's almost like a job shadow except in a different setting," said Morris. "Not only do you get to meet the [business] people, but you get to talk to them in an informal setting."

Morris thinks the scholarship will have long-term impact. "Otherwise, I don't think I would have the ties with NDSU that I do," he said. "I definitely will stay connected [after graduation] with NDSU and the NDSU Research & Technology Park just because of the generosity."

The NDSU Entrepreneurial Scholarship is awarded each spring to students who exhibit a strong work ethic, leadership skills and interest in entrepreneurial activities. A generous donor who wishes to encourage and support entrepreneurial pursuits by NDSU students established this scholarship. For more information, visit www.ndsu.edu/admission/scholarship.shtm.