Studying entrepreneurship vs doing a business

All the latest trends in the professional arena of the nation seem to point to the popularity of one particular field, which is registering staggering numbers by the day.

Unfazed by the huge risks, potential pitfalls, unstable prospects and unsure future, many youngsters are taking to entrepreneurship in a big way. The success stories of ventures like Ola, Flipkart, Zomato, Makemytrip and many others have led many to believe that entrepreneurship holds many a career prospects.

In what could be termed as a big boost to the aspiring individuals is the fact that the government is coming up various initiatives such as Make in India, Stand up India, pro-startup policies and relaxed norms. And in order to aid their journey into the world of entrepreneurship, many universities are now offering courses that teach one about all things startups. Bryant Priester, director, international admissions and recruitment, Purdue University, USA, talks about an entrepreneurship certificate course that the university provides for undergraduate students from all over the world.

Consisting of modules such as marketing, leadership, professional selling, new product development, technology strategy, the course aims to prep students for the big, bad world of startups. Explaining the multiple benefits of such courses, Bryant says, “An undergrad from any field can take up on this course without having to worry about his/her background. The only requirement a candidate needs to get into this course is his/her interest in the field.”

While the concept of gaining a degree in entrepreneurship seemed alien 2 decades ago, it is now a common thing. Closer home, many Indian universities are offering similar programmes that range from MBA courses to specialisation ventures to certificate programmes and even degrees. For instance, the Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) of Xavier Labour Relations Institute, Jamshedpur, provides a full-time six-month Post Graduate Programme for Certificate in Entrepreneurship Management while the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, offers an MA programme in social innovations and entrepreneurship.

Many students who take up such courses are fresh graduates, some right out of college, who are looking for a framework for their path ahead. While many look at these programmes as some sort of training, there are others who feel they need some kind of validation to be an entrepreneur. Many others sign up for these courses to gain some exposure to the field. Bryant explains, “Such courses aren’t only about theoretical classes. There’s also real-time interaction with companies and experts. In fact, we also offer students a platform to pitch their startup ideas and raise funding. Students can also showcase their skills in a variety of competitions throughout the year.”

Given the fact that entrepreneurship is a dynamic world, where things change by the minute, is it really possible to teach it? Bryant agrees, “Although it’s not possible to teach someone all about entrepreneurship, you can give them a basic framework to work with. Also, the world is constantly evolving. The career that is making you money today won’t be the same tomorrow. So, such courses give you the flexibility to explore different avenues and make informed decisions about careers that can last a lifetime.”

But in a country like ours, where more focus is upon fields like science and medicine, aren’t such courses grappling for survival? “It is true that most Indians are oriented towards science-based fields. But look at the current group of students; most of them have high ambitions. In fact, even parents are on the lookout for careers that will allow their kids to make the most money and be successful,” says Bryant.

While many have embraced this new breed of courses with open arms, there are others who feel such programmes have missed the mark. Anil, one of the founders of a Mumbai-based startup is of the opinion that such courses don’t add any value to their work. “Our field is very fast-paced. I feel such programmes are just distractions and don’t help our cause. I believe in this arena, one learns better being on the field.”

They say it’s the age of entrepreneurs. Almost every field sees a number of entrepreneurs blooming. Be it food, transport, utility or social services, almost all aspects of our lives are being made simpler by entrepreneurs. So, when such courses offer to prepare you for the real world, universities would definitely see many registrations. While it remains to be seen if they actually help an aspiring entrepreneur or not, the fact that many such courses are gaining popularity cannot be ignored. Maybe, it’s all a part of the evolving world of education.