What is SIFE?

SIFE stands for Students In Free Enterprise. Our vision is to help other students achieve their dreams through free enterprise education. How? Well, our members develop outreach programs that teach others how market economies and businesses operate. The objective is for people to take this knowledge and use it to better themselves, their community, and their country. Our student teams present their completed projects at regional and national competitions to panels of top level business executives and entrepreneurs.

The University of Nebraska SIFE team is truly a world class organization. The organization was founded in 1988 with only eight members. Since then it has grown to over 70 active members with support from more than 200 students. UNL SIFE has won more than 30 regional and national awards recognizing our dedication to lifelong learning, practicing, and teaching of free enterprise and entrepreneurship.

What is free enterprise?

Free enterprise is the theory that anyone should be free to set up a business enterprise of any sort. That means people should be able to run their businesses in their own way. Owners can use their creative ideas to make their own decisions. This also means that anyone should be free to trade with anyone else anywhere in the world. On whatever terms the parties involved agree upon. Also, in free enterprise workers are free to choose where they work. Customers are free to choose where they shop and what they buy. In a true free enterprise, the market is mostly free from government interference.

Why should I join SIFE?

SIFE's philosophy is, "tell me and I will forget, show me and I might remember, involve me and I will understand." Understanding is the key to future success in life. Our club allows students to pursue their own career interests. Members are exposed to many employment opportunities through meeting several respected business leaders. Because we are known to many prominent businesses, SIFE is an excellent activity on a resume. Keep browsing this web site and you'll see exactly how SIFE has helped alumni excel. SIFE has no membership fees. That's right! We use our entrepreneurial skills to fund the organization. Giving the students hands-on experience in "the real world."