Elon professors explore how entrepreneurship education benefits all careers | Today at Elon
Associate Professors Sean McMahon and Elena Kennedy at Elon’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business find that learning about entrepreneurship boosts early career success, even for graduates who don’t start their own businesses.
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Associate Professors Sean McMahon and Elena Kennedy at the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business have published new research showing that entrepreneurship education can enhance early career outcomes for graduates, regardless of whether they launch their own ventures.
Building on their award-winning research recognized at the 2024 United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship conference—where they received both the “Best Empirical Paper” and “Best Overall Paper” awards—McMahon and Kennedy investigated how studying entrepreneurship affects graduates who enter traditional employment.
Key Findings:
- Improved workplace skills: Graduates who studied entrepreneurship reported higher levels of critical thinking, leadership, work ethic and professionalism compared to those who didn’t take entrepreneurship courses.
- Faster career advancement: The study found that these graduates experienced more promotions and salary increases in their early careers.
- Versatile skill application: Engaging in entrepreneurial behaviors like innovative problem-solving and effective communication helped graduates excel in various job roles.
The study surveyed 353 alumni from three universities, comparing those who completed a major, minor, or concentration in entrepreneurship with those who had no exposure to entrepreneurship education.
“I have encountered many students who assume they must have a fully formed business concept to ‘fit’ in an entrepreneurship course,” said McMahon. “This line of thinking leads to missed opportunities because entrepreneurship is both a mindset and a skill set that can be applied to nearly any endeavor. Our research shows that adopting an entrepreneurial approach is rewarded in the workplace.”
The research titled, “No (Startup) Experience Required: Entrepreneurship Education Effectiveness for Early Career Graduates,” was published in Entrepreneurship Education and Pedagogy.
“The advantages of entrepreneurship education grew more pronounced as alumni actively applied entrepreneurial behaviors,” said Kennedy. “This highlights the importance of not just learning about entrepreneurship, but consistently practicing it—whether by streamlining processes, fostering a dynamic workplace, clearly communicating a vision, or embracing change and innovation. Importantly, teaching and applying these behaviors need not be confined to the classroom but can enhance disciplines across the board.”
McMahon and Kennedy co-authored the research with:
- Anna Obedkova Podlesny, Towson University
- Dave Brannon, Towson University
- Graham Henshaw, William & Mary
- Kathleen Powell, William & Mary
Both McMahon and Kennedy teach graduate and undergraduate courses.
McMahon offers classes including MBA Entrepreneurship, Creativity & the Doer/Maker Mindset and Bringing the Venture to Life. In 2020, he received the Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Award from USASBE for his innovative teaching methods.
Kennedy offers courses such as Entrepreneurship for the Greater Good, MBA/MSBA Business for the Greater Good, Entrepreneurial Finance and Strategic Management. She was awarded the Social Entrepreneurship SIG Excellence in Teaching at the 2021 USASBE conference for her commitment to integrating social impact into entrepreneurship education.
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