The Influence of “The Entrepreneurial Mind” Course on Entrepreneurial Mindset and Career Aspirations of BFPT Students

Abstract

Entrepreneurship education plays a vital role in shaping how students recognize opportunities, build confidence, and envision their future careers. This study examined how “The Entrepreneurial Mind” course influenced the entrepreneurial mindset and career aspirations of Bachelor of Food Processing and Technology students at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines – Oroquieta, using a qualitative single-case study design guided by Merriam’s approach and analyzed through inductive thematic analysis. The findings reveal that the course served as a transformative learning experience consistent with Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory, in which students initially believed that entrepreneurship was accessible only to the wealthy or naturally talented but gradually reconstructed these assumptions through experiential activities, reflective tasks, and collaborative discussions. They developed greater creativity, resilience, and self-efficacy, with some even initiating small ventures that demonstrated a shift from passive learning to active engagement. Although the study provides meaningful insights into how entrepreneurship education fosters innovation and career direction among rural-based, non-business students, its scope is limited to BFPT students selected through purposive and snowball sampling, suggesting the value of future longitudinal or comparative studies to deepen understanding of the broader impact of entrepreneurship education.