Building the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs: The Role of Group Projects and Experiential Education in Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindset and Skills
摘要
This study investigates the effectiveness of experiential learning in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and soft skills among students from science and technology disciplines (computer science and biology) as well as management disciplines (finance and marketing), focusing on cohorts graduating in 2022 and 2024. Throughout a semester, students engaged in real entrepreneurial projects while working in interdisciplinary teams. A follow-up assessment was conducted one year after graduation to evaluate the longer-term impact of this educational approach. A quantitative methodology was employed, using a structured questionnaire to collect data on students’ experiences with group-based experiential learning, their perceived development of entrepreneurial competencies, and their post-graduation outcomes. The results indicate that experiential education significantly enhances the development of an entrepreneurial mindset and transversal competencies, with notable disciplinary differences. The study contributes to theory by reinforcing experiential learning models such as those of Dewey and ET-7 within the context of entrepreneurial education. Practically, it offers insights for educators and policymakers aiming to improve employability, innovation readiness, and curriculum design across disciplines.