This post originally appeared on Northeastern Global News. It was published by Beth Treffeisen.
Women continue to be under-represented in venture-backed entrepreneurs and investors. Companies solely founded by women receive less than 3% of all venture capital investments, and women account for less than 15% of checkwriters, according to PitchBook.
With barriers in place and a changing economic outlook, many women entering the entrepreneurial field are unclear about where to go next.
Chris Litster, a software executive and Northeastern University graduate, says the No. 1 thing to figure out while entering the entrepreneurship world is—find your passion.
Then, “be able to speak to your passion as if you are having a conversation with someone rather than on slides,” he says.
He warned that it is vital to steer clear of buzzwords, lingo and empty words.
Also, “Don't be shy,” Litster says. “Take that step to activate your network … you never know who has what you need next.”