I have had a lot of questions about the future of entrepreneurship education in light of the current economic hard times. After all, aren’t people going to be nervous about launching a new business right now?
My experience has been that we will continue to see a brisk business as young people see few prospects in the traditional corporate career path.
In fact, even experienced business professionals are also seeing entrepreneurship as the best option for them in a bleak job market.
From MarketWatch:
Business ownership is an ideal way to parlay proven business skills into a road of self-sufficiency. With economic indicators pointing to a lengthy recession, continued corporate downsizing, and growing unemployment, the New Career Economy is today’s reality. In good economic times and bad, the small business owner has been and will continue to be the backbone of our economy. And historically, when there is trouble in the corporate sector, it tends to serve as a launching pad for would-be entrepreneurs.
So to all of you new entrepreneurs out there — welcome to the club! I know many “accidental” entrepreneurs who started their ventures due to losing their jobs during previous recessions who have never thought of going back to a corporate career. You may not have intended to become one of us, but we are delighted to have you with us. We are here to help!
These economic circumstances are a major reason why I want to remain entrepreneurial and pursue my dream of self-employment. Seeing so many people suffer layoffs or the threat of layoffs, and seeing so many major companies in serious trouble shows me that it’s just to risky to get “a stable” job at a major corporation.