Career choices and job preferences of social entrepreneurship graduates: implication for redefining “success” of social entrepreneurship education

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the reason of attraction for the young professionals (who left their paid employment) to pursue social entrepreneurship (SE) education, to understand role played by SE education program on developing entrepreneurship knowledge and skills to create social impact and to explore the influence of SE education on their career choices and job-preferences. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory study uses qualitative methodology to collect data from 16 alumni of Master of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship (MASE) Program, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India. Findings The findings indicate that the knowledge and skills learned through the MASE program played a significant role to create an entrepreneurial mindset and put such skills into action to create impact (as job creator/entrepreneur or job seeker/intrapreneur) as well any change in their career choice, job-preference and job-mobility. The findings force us to re-define “success of SE education”, as in both the cases, they are creating social impact using their entrepreneurship knowledge and skills. Career advancement and personal growth opportunities, and their willingness to create impact as decision makers act as strongest motivators to choose the program. Furthermore, the study also highlights the additional factors, which influence their decision of choosing/not choosing SE as career option. Research limitations/implications The findings cannot be generalized. The qualitative data is analyzed inductively to arrive at the findings. Practical implications The findings are relevant for SE educators and also the policy makers. Promotion of SE education will not only create employment for others, but will also address several other social problems, and contribute to inclusive development of the country. Originality/value The uniqueness lies in understanding the motivations behind the decision of pursuing MASE program then followed by exploring the influence of SE education on their career choices and job-preferences.