THE HAPPINESS PROJECT:
CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY THROUGH RESEARCH AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Rachel Figueiredo,
entrepreneurship librarian
In fall 2022, UWaterloo’s innovation incubator, Velocity, approached the Library to partner on a project to provide an alternative to pitch-based, business-centric competitions. The project’s goal was to connect with students who are interested in learning more about the entrepreneurial process but may not necessarily see themselves as entrepreneurs.
In the past, the Library has provided support to budding entrepreneurs through workshops and 1:1 consultations with our entrepreneurship librarian, Rachel Figueiredo, so this felt like an opportunity to try something new.
Over the winter term, Ben Graham, Velocity’s problem lab manager, and Figueiredo developed a foundational program that would provide a safe space for students to learn how to develop and validate an idea.
To encourage student interest, the program was framed around a specific topic an increasing number of students were approaching Velocity about: improving mental health.
Graham and Figueiredo launched a pilot of The Happiness Project over the course of eight weeks in spring term 2023. Participating students had the opportunity to think more deeply about a topic, learn how to conduct primary and secondary research, connect with stakeholders and develop the skills to solicit critical feedback. At the end of the project, students could present their idea to stakeholders around campus to gain pitch experience.
The feedback from the pilot session was positive and had an unexpected benefit. “The program itself created a place for community and connection, bringing together students who were excited to learn how to develop an idea around a common theme. Not only did they learn valuable skills and develop a more nuanced understanding of entrepreneurship, but they also met new people and made friends,” says Figueiredo.
As with any new program, elements were tweaked based on the initial run and the program was offered again in the fall term with even more student participation. Over ten weeks, Graham and Figueiredo facilitated discussions with students across a range of programs, from second year students to PhD candidates.
At first, some participants were surprised to encounter a librarian as a facilitator but as they moved through the program, students came to understand the value of deep research on a topic and how the Library provides a gateway not only to the resources needed but the expertise to confidently navigate the complex information landscape of today’s world.
After the success of two iterations of The Happiness Project, there are plans to keep honing the format and identify additional topics that would be of interest to students to explore in this unique, community learning environment.