Entrepreneurship has become an indispensable quality for success in today’s constantly evolving and intricate work environment. Entrepreneurs are recognized for their valuable attributes such as open-mindedness, confidence, creativity, determination, and discipline, which are needed in different aspects of life. It is, therefore, no surprise that there is an increasing interest in developing entrepreneurship skills in young people.
A recent study suggests that promoting entrepreneurship is a critical social issue because it creates new jobs and general well-being. The study investigates the development of entrepreneurial intentions and the various factors that influence them throughout our lives. It also explores whether specific entrepreneurial education during our formative years can instill a lifelong spirit of entrepreneurship. The research indicates that entrepreneurship should be integrated into higher education.
Our attitudes towards entrepreneurship and belief in our ability to succeed as entrepreneurs typically shape our entrepreneurial intentions. Hence, I believe both of these aspects can be strengthened during our student days. Furthermore, the research exhibits that this effort has a lasting effect, boosting our entrepreneurial intentions throughout our working lives. Therefore, higher education institutions need to support students who aspire to become entrepreneurs.
The study also highlights that any entrepreneurial training should require a proactive approach from the student, as lecture-based instruction alone does not seem to have the same effect. Additionally, the research emphasizes the role of role models in our interest in entrepreneurship as we grow older. These role models can come from our parents, but it is also important to have diverse sources of inspiration.
However, the study finds that men are more likely to become entrepreneurs than women globally, and the availability of role models for women is perhaps particularly critical. Entrepreneurship training has less of an impact on the likelihood of women starting a business. For men, such training generally boosts their attitude towards entrepreneurship, whereas, for women, the impact is mainly on their belief in their competence.
In my opinion and looking at the millennials i converse with on daily basis in the UAE, traditional public schools and the education sector, coupled with societal and cultural expectations that men should be breadwinners, can be a major factor in limiting creativity and entrepreneurship qualities from developing in men. Contrariwise, women may be less limited in these areas as they are not expected to carry the same financial burden.
The education system can significantly impact how individuals view their potential to succeed in certain areas. For the previous two generations, conventional schools focus often on rote learning and memorization rather than creative problem-solving and critical thinking. This approach can limit the ability of men to develop entrepreneurial skills, which require individuals to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems.
Furthermore, this often perpetuates the idea that men should be breadwinners and that their success is directly tied to their ability to earn a high income. This societal expectation can lead men feeling pressure to pursue careers they deem as financially lucrative, even if those careers do not align with their passions or skills. This can stifle creativity and entrepreneurship, as men may feel that they cannot take risks or pursue non-traditional career paths.
Conversely, women may be less limited in their creativity and entrepreneurial qualities as they are not expected to carry the same financial burden as men. While women are certainly capable of being successful breadwinners, they may not feel the same societal pressure to pursue careers that are financially lucrative. This can give women more freedom to pursue careers that align with their passions and skills, even if those careers are not traditionally lucrative.
In addition, women may be more likely to pursue careers in fields that require creativity and innovation, such as the arts, education, or healthcare. These fields may not be as financially lucrative as fields traditionally dominated by men, such as finance or technology, but they can offer women the opportunity to use their creativity and entrepreneurial skills to make a difference in the world.
Traditional schools and the education sector, coupled with societal expectations that men should be breadwinners, can limit creativity and entrepreneurship qualities from developing in men. Women may be less limited in these areas as they are not expected to carry the same financial burden. By recognizing and challenging these societal expectations, we can create a more level playing field that allows all individuals to develop their full potential and pursue careers that align with their passions and skills, regardless of their gender.
In conclusion, higher education institutions must identify students with high entrepreneurial intentions as they are likely to become future entrepreneurs. Institutions can support this entrepreneurship process during studies. Therefore, promoting entrepreneurship throughout all the education cycle is essential not only for individual success but also for the wider social and economic benefits it brings. Establishing a supportive and inclusive environment that encourages young people, to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations is crucial. By doing so, we can create a brighter future for everyone.