Extract

Entrepreneurship education is much more than just terms, definitions and technical business skills. Critical aspects of the students’ personal formation including professionalism, maturity and character development are also important to prepare them for successful entrepreneurial careers. Formative educational experiences help students become better prepared for entrepreneurial careers in four important areas: (1) building confidence; (2) developing an appreciation for appropriate social behavior in business settings; (3) establishing an effective network; and (4) improving leadership skills. Formative experiences need to be as much a part of entrepreneurship education as knowing how to write a business plan, understanding the meaning of a deal structure, or recognizing the difference between ideas and real business opportunities. But how do we create opportunities for the personal formation of aspiring entrepreneurs? This chapter examines some co-curricular programs that address this question. Mentoring programs, entrepreneurship clubs and learning communities can all have a powerful impact on the personal formation and character development of entrepreneurship students.