From a Student of Startup Business to a Startup Employee or Entrepreneur: Study on Career Narratives of Students in Entrepreneurial Programs in a University

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to gain an understanding of the incidents, relationships and processes that support entrepreneurial students to become employees and entrepreneurs. Through a qualitative approach based on career history and projections written by the respondents, this study aims to shed light on the process of becoming an entrepreneur or employed by an entrepreneurial organization. Pedagogical and professional issues that may foster the development of these practices eventually leading to employment and entrepreneurial activities are posed.

Professional Entrepreneurial Competencies and Creativity Skills Formation Under the Influence of Educational Practices of Start-Up Projects Development

“…Start-ups create models designed to enhance a country's welfare and performance based on critical determinants for driving change. Any start-up operates in an environment of utmost uncertainty, which, at the same time, has a potential for rapid growth and internationalization due to scalability (Saukkonen, 2017). A start-up is also defined as a community of people who have united to achieve an unusual goal with the help of extraordinary intellectual efforts and non-traditional corporate culture.…”

“…In this regard, numerous university programs and courses aim to upgrade conditions for entrepreneurial activity among their students. Their mission is to develop and enhance students' skills to work in an entrepreneurial context (Saukkonen, 2017). Modern students should be able to think rationally and solve various challenging situations (Duda et al 2019;Zainuddin et al 2020).…”

Entrepreneurs and Growth: An Option, Obligation or Obsession

“…How are those "entrepreneurial mindset" and "growth mindset" then born and developed? In a study among the students (Business Administration, undergraduate level) that have participated in a specialization program of technology business and entrepreneurship and later engaged to a start-up activity as business owners of employees, Saukkonen [41] observed a gradual conversion into entrepreneurial activity through identifiable stages instead of a sudden decision to embark on an entrepreneurial journey. The key learnings and actions on this path were all related in mingling with entrepreneurs or other entrepreneurs-to-be via networking, trying, and learning.…”