What would you guess is the most beneficial skill a student could master in 2015? Probably technology, right? Actually, while being tech-savvy is certainly crucial to success in this digital age of ours, it’s not the most vital skill by any means. Rather, the various aspects of 21st century learning skills – creativity, hands-on learning, and the ability to work in teams – all come together in one discipline: entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship and Students
There are dozens of reasons entrepreneurship should be a crucial part of all children’s educations, with the biggest being job security. Of course, having a degree does help, but in an economy that’s always low on jobs and high on unemployment, the skills that are a part of the entrepreneurial mindset can really give you a leg up in the workforce. Having the skill set and self-confidence to believe that you can make and create something original is truly priceless. With a background in entrepreneurship, you won’t have to depend on someone else for your employment.
Consider this statistic: according to a survey by the Associated Press, more than 50 percent of college graduates are either unemployed or underemployed, meaning they’re working well below their pay grade or skill set.
With a background in entrepreneurship, struggling students like these would be able to create their own jobs. They could launch their own companies, thereby contributing to the economy and, eventually, creating more jobs for others just like them. In fact, you could say that entrepreneurship is the backbone of our country’s economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, small businesses accounted for 67 percent of net new jobs since the recession.
Another reason entrepreneurship should be considered one of the foremost 21st century learning skills is pretty simple: students actually want to learn it. According to the Kauffman Foundation, 54 percent of millenials want to start their own business. Additionally, 77 percent of high school students have the entrepreneurial bug as well. Unfortunately, only a quarter of these young people are offered education in entrepreneurship while they’re in school, leaving them woefully underprepared to achieve their goals.
Make Entrepreneurship a Focus in Your Classroom
Give your students the 21st century learning skills they need to succeed later on in life. Enroll them in one of our camps or programs, in San Antonio or in Austin, or consider using our state-of-the-art curriculum in your own classroom. Contact the VentureLab team today to learn more.
