An Exploration of Experiential Education as a Catalyst for Future Entrepreneurs

Preparing students as potential future entrepreneurs has attracted greater interest from both private and public sectors. In view of this, concerted efforts have integrated entrepreneurship into the curriculum. There are still deficiencies and gaps in teaching and preparing future entrepreneurs. This research considers experiential enterprise education, for undergraduate students at a post-1992 university in the Northwest of England. The guest speakers and mentors were selected on expertise in the business world and intellectual and practical foundations of entrepreneurship and small business development. Students were given the opportunity of business application, including planning, funding, developing services, marketing and trading. Undergraduate students declare a range of expectations, beliefs and prior experience of the world of business. Management of expectations are key to delivering a useful entrepreneurial experience.