High number of students taking their masters want to set up their own business

A new survey has revealed that many students taking their master’s degree are keen to one day start their own business.

The survey, which is carried out every two years, was compiled by Professor Dirk Buyens and researchers Valérie Legrand and Silke Van Gansbeke from the Centre for Excellence in Strategic Talent Management at Vlerick Business School.

According to the findings, 29% of master’s students and 57% of advanced master’s students indicate that they would like to set up their own business in the future.

However, many would prefer to gain the necessary experience and skills beforehand by working for an SME or big company first.

Dirk Buyens, Professor of Human Resources Management at Vlerick Business School, said, “We have observed a growing desire among young people to become independent entrepreneurs one day, although there is a clear preference to gain a few years’ work experience in a salaried position first.

“A possible way for employers to cater to this trend might be to promote intrapreneurship within the company. That means that employers encourage a climate of entrepreneurship where young employees can develop their entrepreneurial ambitions for the benefit of the company as well as for themselves.

“This can be done by giving them plenty of freedom to try out new things and by offering them opportunities to grow within the organisation.”

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