SW New Mexico News

The deadline for New Mexico State University civil engineering students to apply for the Construction Side Hustle course is approaching. This five-week online program, part of the Mike Hunt Construction Sprints, aims to help participants turn their skills into a profitable business. The course begins on March 5, with applications closing on Friday, February 28. It is open to NMSU civil engineering students and staff members, and teams can apply if at least one member is a civil engineering student.

With the start date fast approaching, this represents the final opportunity for students interested in gaining practical business experience and entrepreneurial skills in the construction industry to enroll. The Mike Hunt Construction Sprints are a flagship initiative of NMSU’s Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship. They support regional entrepreneurship by empowering diverse communities and equipping students with tools to bring innovative products and services to market while expanding access to early-stage investment.

The Construction Side Hustle Course offers a structured yet accessible pathway into entrepreneurship, addressing challenges faced by early-stage and aspiring entrepreneurs. Many students find launching a full-scale company overwhelming; thus, this course introduces side hustling as a low-risk approach that allows them to test and refine business ideas while managing academic and professional commitments.

Jeff Mitchell and Laura Hart will lead the program as co-owners of Lane Two, an education partner specializing in side-hustle development. Jeff Mitchell launched Canada’s first course for side hustlers in 2020 and has since assisted over 1,000 entrepreneurs in building their businesses.

Participants will gain hands-on experience in customer discovery, business modeling, sales strategies, and launching a Minimum Viable Offer to establish revenue-generating construction businesses. The course includes weekly online training sessions, live coaching hours for individualized support, and concludes with an in-person workshop where certificates will be presented.

"This course provides students with a clear roadmap to launch their own construction business while still in school. By the end of the five weeks, participants will have a validated business model and a plan for sustainable growth," said Carlos Murguia, director of the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship.

For more information or application details visit https://tinyurl.com/constructionsidehustle or contact Carlos Murguia at cmurguia@nmsu.edu.