From Melinda Marcus, intern with Handshake 2.0:

If there is one thing I have learned over the past three months as an intern with Handshake 2.0, it is that connections, passion, and communication are the basic keys to success in the business world.

I recently had the chance to interview the well-connected Cory Donovan, Executive Director of The NewVa Corridor Technology Council (NCTC), whom I first met at the Virginia Tech Business Horizons Career Fair in September, 2008.

NCTC has connections with almost everyone and everything here in the New River and Roanoke Valleys.  Just take a look at all their events - with almost two events per week, this non-profit organization is connecting people and creating jobs and relationships that are helping this area grow!

Right off the bat, Mr. Donovan defined what Social Entrepreneurship (SE) means to him, a businessman in the non-profit sector: SE is "being proactive to find a solution to a problem," in a business sense and helping to raise awareness about the issue that the entrepreneur is passionate about.

Perhaps the best piece of advice that Mr. Donovan gave me was to be passionate and gain experience in the passion, no matter what that means. He encouraged me to find out what I need to do to get the job I want and do it, even if that means taking a lower paying job or the road less traveled.

One desire in my life that I have is to live a passionate life! Ever since high school, I have wanted to be a woman who lives a creative, adventurous, and passionate life. However, there is one thing I need to get over: fear. I fear not "succeeding" according to the world's standards of wealth and prosperity.

Mr. Donovan encouraged me as a young business student is to be educated in what brings me happiness and why it does. In the end, happiness is much better then wealth.

To sum up what I have learned from Mr. Donovan:  Passion is key. If I want to make a difference in the world (or even in my community), I need to find out what brings me happiness and brings out my talents and skills, and then put everything I have into it!

You can follow the entire Defining the Local Social Entrepreneur series by Melinda Marcus.