Can working on an entrepreneurial project within a Level 7 fashion degree course improve entrepreneurial self-efficacy and career readiness?

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to revise the current educational pedagogy on a Level 7 fashion degree module, by introducing an experiential entrepreneurship project to understand if it can encourage a greater entrepreneurial self-efficacy and career readiness. Many third level colleges and universities proudly fly the flag of promoting entrepreneurial education within courses, however, many fail to recognise that what makes an entrepreneur is a mindset. To address entrepreneurial education, it is preferable that provision is made for real-life entrepreneurial experience that brings the outside world to the classroom rather than relying solely on theory (Jones et al, 2017). This study is important because it investigates an intervention to improve entrepreneurial self-efficacy which is fundamental to an entrepreneurial mindset. In this action research study, six students participated in an experiential entrepreneurial project that required the cohort to plan, make for and launch an upcycled fashion pop-up shop. A focus group and a before and after questionnaire which was based on the linkage with entrepreneurial skills and capabilities with ‘the big five personality traits’ were analysed. The results of the study determined that the project did encourage a growth overall in self-efficacy in four out of the five personality traits and also in entrepreneurial self-efficacy. It is becoming increasing apparent that entrepreneurial skills are regarded as critically important for career readiness (Delgatto 2020) not just within the fashion industry but within all career choices. Further research could explore how the intervention could be adapted to work within other discipline curricula.