Implementation of Entrepreneurship Education in Community Colleges: Effects on Students' Entrepreneurial Aspirations

Abstract

This study aims to find out the level of knowledge of Community College students in Malacca on the basic concept of entrepreneurship and their tendency to choose a career in the field of entrepreneurship after graduation. Data was obtained through a questionnaire distributed to a total of 145 semester 3 students who attended the MPU12012 Entrepreneurship course at Melaka State Community College from various study programs. This questionnaire has five (5) basic entrepreneurial knowledge constructs that include entrepreneur characteristics, creativity and innovation, marketing, financial management and business plans. Data collection was done using a spreadsheet linked to an online questionnaire and Microsoft Excel software. The analysis of the data obtained shows the level of students' basic knowledge of entrepreneurship on five (5) research constructs with four (4) of them being Basic Knowledge of Entrepreneurship on the Basic Characteristics of Entrepreneurs, Basic Knowledge of Entrepreneurship on Creativity and Innovation, Basic Knowledge of Entrepreneurship on Marketing and Basic Knowledge Entrepreneurship towards Business Plan is at a high level while one (1) construct which is Basic Knowledge of Entrepreneurship towards Financial Management is at a moderately high level. The study also found that the level of desire to choose an entrepreneurial career is moderately high. This shows that the exposure of entrepreneurship knowledge to students whether in the form of curriculum or co-curriculum is welcomed by students. In general, the results of this study can help the management of Community Colleges to obtain information about the level of student knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship and then plan related activities to encourage student involvement in entrepreneurship-related activities. The implementation of entrepreneurship programs or activities has proven to be necessary as an early exposure to Community College students to choose entrepreneurship as their future career.