WRITER: Alejandro Najera-Acosta, 575-646-2025, a_najera@nmsu.edu
A cohort of New Mexico State University students, including civil engineering and other majors, successfully completed the Construction Side Hustle course, a five-week program designed to help participants launch viable construction-focused businesses alongside their academic pursuits.
The course is one of the featured activities within the Mike Hunt Construction Sprints, a specialized program under NMSU’s Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship. The Hunt Center is a flagship initiative that drives regional entrepreneurship by empowering diverse communities, equipping students in the Borderplex region with tools to bring innovative products and services to market, and expanding access to early-stage investment. Through the construction sprints, students gain practical experience in business development while applying their expertise in construction.
Led by Lane Two co-owners Jeff Mitchell and Laura Hart, the course guided participants through business model development, customer discovery and sales strategies tailored to the construction industry. Over five weeks, students designed and tested minimum viable offers, gaining hands-on experience in launching side ventures while managing their academic responsibilities.
The Construction Side Hustle course provided a structured, accessible entry point into entrepreneurship, particularly for those at the idea stage. Recognizing that the prospect of launching a full-scale business can feel daunting, the course introduced side hustling as a low-risk, high-impact strategy. The approach allowed participants to explore and validate their business ideas while continuing to meet their academic and professional obligations.
“The students showed tremendous initiative and creativity,” said Carlos Murguia, director of the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship. “This course proved that with the right structure and support, civil engineering students can begin building real businesses today—not after graduation.”
The Construction Side Hustle course was created in response to growing student interest in entrepreneurship that complements, rather than replaces, their core career paths. By introducing side hustling as a practical, low-risk entry point into entrepreneurship, the course gives students the tools to explore innovation in construction while maintaining academic progress.
“The course was a game-changer for me. It offered a clear and comprehensive roadmap for turning my passion into a viable business. The materials were engaging, the instructors were knowledgeable, and the community support was invaluable. I gained the confidence and skills to take my side hustle to the next level, and I’m excited to see where it leads. I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to start or grow a side hustle,” said Roshira Premadasa, a Ph.D. student in civil engineering.
This cohort is part of a broader effort to embed entrepreneurship more deeply into civil engineering education at NMSU. Future offerings of the Mike Hunt Construction Sprint are already in development, with plans to expand access across additional departments and student groups.
For more information about the Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship, contact Murguia at cmurguia@nmsu.edu or visit https://arrowheadcenter.nmsu.edu/program/the-hunt-center/.
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PHOTO CAPTION: From left to right, New Mexico State University students Roman Rodriguez, Rose Ghasemi, Grace Olagunju and Hamza Badrari were among the participants in the Construction Side Hustle course hosted by NMSU’s Hunt Center for Entrepreneurship. (Courtesy photo)
IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Photo college of four people.