Entrepreneurial Mindset: How To Encourage In Students
An entrepreneurial mindset is how entrepreneurs think and act. It allows individuals to identify and benefit from opportunities, change course, review mistakes when the situation requires, and learn and move forward. For some, an entrepreneurial mindset may provide a foundation to begin their business projects, while, for others, it may help them excel in whatever job they take up.
Philosophically, it should be seen as unlocking our innate potential.
Entrepreneurship has come into the limelight for some years now, especially while we face uncertain times-such as Covid-19 and a rapidly changing world. We also know that entrepreneurship is the key to better economic and social growth in any nation.
Educators, too, are fast realising the importance of preparing students to succeed in this turbulent global environment. Students need to keep pace with this fast-changing world to build their careers and a better society.
Experts believe that, for students to acquire these new and evolving skills, teachers must help them develop an entrepreneurial mindset. But experts also warn against bringing a typical business school approach into the classroom.
SIGNIFICANCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP LEARNING
Entrepreneurship education should begin at an early age and gradually move forward through different education levels for students to imbibe a process of lifelong learning. Because of its growing importance, India’s draft National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, has outlined some unique steps that should be taken to include it in school curriculums.
Entrepreneurship knowledge may not make every person an entrepreneur, but it will surely nurture an innovative mindset that helps one to excel in education and life beyond school.
Entrepreneurship is also not confined to economic activities or the creation of start-ups, but embraces other areas of life, like motivating students to think creatively and ambitiously and dedicating themselves to problem-solving.
INSPIRING YOUNG MINDS
This stream of education also promotes greater creativity and innovative thinking abilities that empower and encourage students to make plans, take risks and accept responsibilities to succeed in a challenging environment.
These learners also acquire the ability to identify opportunities, think critically, find solutions creatively and, most of all, learn to go beyond boundaries. Critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills make individuals forward-thinking and help them become more agile to adapt to fast changes and help shape their careers.
HELPING STUDENTS TAKE ACTION
Mentors have to encourage students to take bold steps, create projects with small risks and make presentations to potential investors about their new business plans. This will have a greater and life-long impact on young minds. It will help them make a start and get them out of their classroom mindset.
It will also teach the students that other people’s opinion about their products is much more important than their own and will help them to reflect and make the most of their product or experiment.
UNLEASHING LATENT TALENT
Teachers should help students unlearn and relearn, assist in thinking creatively and encourage them to venture outside their comfort zones. Incorporating this field of learning in the school curriculum will not only develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes among students that impact academic performance, but will also enhance entrepreneurial competence.
It will also help them spot and sharpen latent talents and act responsibly. Students will develop skills to deliberate, identify potential audiences, seek approval from people, understand their needs, and learn how to sell their ideas. They will also realize the importance of learning from their mistakes.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR SOCIETAL AND NATIONAL GROWTH
Through public campaigns like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Startup India, and private initiatives such as the Shark Tank, there is an unparalleled awareness among youth towards entrepreneurship.
In any society, entrepreneurs have the primary responsibility of generating resources and creating prosperity for people as well as the planet. This mindset is important and we keep this at our heart, being a university for impact.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Entrepreneurial education, although at an emerging stage, is becoming imperative for everyone, especially in today’s uncertain world. It will need a lot of effort to restructure and add to the teaching system to make it successful.
The time has come to develop and execute innovative learning systems and help create a strong entrepreneurial culture across all higher secondary schools in our country and offer the future generation skills and mindsets that will help them walk the new world with confidence and contribute proactively to national growth.
By: Amrit Das
