Elizabeth Gisholt, a sophomore and Schaberg Scholar, first attended Michigan State University’s Entrepreneur Leadership Camp as a high school student—an experience that helped define where her next chapter would begin.Last summer, Gisholt returned to the camp not as a participant, but as a volunteer, helping guide and support students as they gained valuable entrepreneurial experience of their own.
“Looking back, I had heard about the camp from someone who attended the year before and loved it. At the time, I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to study, but I knew I wanted to try something new. Applying to the camp felt like the perfect opportunity to explore something different and challenge myself.
When I first arrived, I was dropped off outside the residence hall and waited with my belongings while my family parked the car. While I was standing there, I started talking with another girl who had just arrived. That conversation turned into a friendship that has continued to this day—she’s now one of my closest friends at MSU. I remember being nervous that I wouldn’t know anyone or that it might be difficult to make friends, but once I moved in and joined everyone downstairs, I quickly realized that wouldn’t be a problem. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, and we connected right away.
One of the most memorable moments for me happened at the end of the week. After our final panel, we were told there was a big surprise waiting for us. When we walked into the room, there were Nike Air Force 1s, Nike backpacks and other great swag for everyone. It was such a fun way to celebrate everything we had accomplished during the week. Another highlight was when we had some free time and the group decided to play volleyball instead of watching a movie. It turned into a great bonding moment and ended up being one of the most fun parts of the experience.
For me, the camp was especially impactful because I grew up in East Lansing. I had always been around the MSU community, but seeing how engaged and passionate MSU alumni were—especially those who took the time to travel and speak with us—showed me a new side of the Spartan network. It was inspiring to see how much they cared about supporting students.
The camp also changed the way I thought about entrepreneurship. Before attending, I mostly associated entrepreneurship with starting small businesses. The program helped me realize how versatile entrepreneurial skills are and how they can be applied in many different paths, including corporate careers.
One of the biggest lessons I took away was that entrepreneurship is really a mindset. It’s a way of approaching challenges, solving problems and thinking creatively. I’ve continued to apply that mindset throughout my college experience. I also learned that failure is a natural part of the entrepreneurial process. As someone who tends to be a perfectionist, that was difficult for me at first, but the experience helped me start seeing mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.
Now that I’m an MSU student, I can see how much this camp helped prepare me. It gave me skills and confidence that I still use in my classes and in the organizations I’m involved with. It also introduced me to the Burgess Institute and the many resources available to student entrepreneurs. Being surrounded by that kind of support has made it easier to dream bigger. I’m currently working on my own business idea, and I don’t think I would have taken that step without the encouragement and resources from Burgess.
The camp also helped me build friendships before I even started my freshman year. I found my roommate through the program, met some of my closest friends and connected with faculty and mentors who I knew I could turn to once I arrived on campus.
For any students considering the camp—go for it. Even if entrepreneurship doesn’t end up being your main focus, you’ll meet incredible people, develop valuable skills and challenge yourself in ways that will stay with you long after the week ends.”