Youth, Sustainability, And Social Enterprise: Career Aspirations Of University Students

Abstract

Social entrepreneurship aims at resolving the issue of poverty through creation of meaningful jobs in the society. Social Entrepreneurship as a career option might not be thought of by many of the graduating students, in fact many of the students might also not be aware of the concept of social entrepreneurship. The present study makes an attempt to bridge this gap by studying the perception of students’ towards social entrepreneurship. The study makes use of survey method wherein a self-designed questionnaire was prepared on the basis of extensive review of literature, for collection of data from 500 post graduate students selected from 4 National level Universities in India. The data was tested for reliability and validity and was analysed with the help of Factor Analysis technique of data reduction. Five factors were identified in the analysis namely- attitude, supportive measures, attributes, competitiveness, change agent. The results of the study can be useful for the higher education institutes in terms of framing strategies for developing interest towards social entrepreneurship. Higher Education Institutes can introduce courses for development of interest and skills required for social entrepreneurship. The study will also be useful to the Government for implementation of policies and facilitation of activities that promote the development of social entrepreneurship in the country.