Verified by 
Key points
- Student enthusiasm in entrepreneurship starts high, dips with challenges, then rebounds with deeper knowledge.
- Fostering passion and resilience helps students overcome challenges and stay motivated in their journey.
- Inspire students with success stories, integrate real challenges, provide support, and encourage networking.
This post was co-authored by Giang Hoang, Ph.D., and Tuan Luu, Ph.D.
John Dewey once said, "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." Entrepreneurship education is often hailed as the key to unlocking entrepreneurial potential, but its actual influence on fostering entrepreneurial ambitions is more complex than it seems. Here, we explore how entrepreneurship education impacts students' entrepreneurial intentions, with a special focus on the roles of passion and resilience.
The Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship Education
Imagine starting a journey with high hopes, only to face unexpected twists and turns. This metaphor aptly describes the impact of entrepreneurship education on students. Initially, as students begin their entrepreneurial studies, their enthusiasm and intentions to start a business soar. However, as they delve deeper into the complexities of entrepreneurship, this enthusiasm often wanes before rebounding once they gain a more comprehensive understanding.
For instance, Nguyen started an entrepreneurship course with ideas and energy. Midway through the program, he felt overwhelmed by the challenges and realities of starting a business, causing his entrepreneurial ambitions to dip. However, as he continued and his knowledge deepened, he regained his confidence and motivation, ending up more determined than ever to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams.
The Fire of Entrepreneurial Passion
Entrepreneurial passion is the intense love for and commitment to entrepreneurial activities. This passion can be a driving force behind entrepreneurial intentions. However, it is not always steady. During the middle stages of entrepreneurship education, students often struggle to reconcile their initial excitement with the practical challenges they learn about, leading to a dip in their passion. As they overcome these challenges and gain more knowledge, their passion reignites.
Take Maria, for example. She started her entrepreneurship course excited to turn her baking hobby into a business. Halfway through, she felt disheartened by the financial and operational hurdles she learned about. But by the end of her studies, with a clearer business plan and the confidence that came with her new knowledge, her passion for opening a bakery was stronger than ever.
Resilience: The Unsung Hero
Resilience, the ability to bounce back from setbacks, plays a crucial role in entrepreneurship. It is what helps budding entrepreneurs keep going when things get tough. For students, learning resilience alongside their entrepreneurial studies can make a huge difference. Those who develop strong resilience are better equipped to handle the ups and downs of starting a business.
Consider Jack, who faced numerous rejections when pitching his tech startup idea. Thanks to the resilience training included in his entrepreneurship program, he learned to view setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures. This mindset helped him persevere, eventually leading to a successful business launch.
Practical Tips for Educators and Policymakers
Given these insights, here are some practical ways educators and policymakers can enhance entrepreneurship education:
- Start with Inspiration: Kick off entrepreneurship programs with inspiring stories of successful entrepreneurs to ignite students' initial passion.
- Integrate Real-World Challenges: Incorporate real-world business challenges into the curriculum to prepare students for the complexities they will face.
- Build Resilience: Include resilience training to help students develop the mental toughness needed for entrepreneurial success.
- Provide Continuous Support: Offer mentorship and support throughout the program to help students navigate the dips in their entrepreneurial journey.
- Encourage Networking: Facilitate networking opportunities with entrepreneurs to provide students with role models and practical insights.
Conclusion
Entrepreneurship education has a unique, curvilinear effect on students' entrepreneurial intentions, deeply influenced by their entrepreneurial passion and resilience. By understanding and addressing these dynamics, educators and policymakers can create more effective and inspiring programs that prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs for success.
References
Cardon, M. S., Wincent, J., Singh, J., & Drnovsek, M. (2009). The nature and experience of entrepreneurial passion. Academy of Management Review, 34(3), 511-532.
Hoang, G., & Luu, T. T (2024). The Curvilinear Effect of Entrepreneurship Education on Entrepreneurial Intentions: The Roles of Entrepreneurial Passion and Resilience. Journal of Management Education, 10525629241263801.
Liñán, F., & Chen, Y. W. (2009). Development and cross–cultural application of a specific instrument to measure entrepreneurial intentions. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(3), 593-617.
Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry, 15(1), 1-18.
Walter, S. G., & Block, J. H. (2016). Outcomes of entrepreneurship education: An institutional perspective. Journal of Business Venturing, 31(2), 216-233.
